Dark New Details Uncovered in Sheriff Mickey Stines Judge Killing

Mickey Steines' aunt, Sherry Steines, testified that in the 24 hours before the shooting, he was profoundly paranoid, sleepless for what he claimed was seven days, fidgety, and obsessively checking his home security cameras for threats to his wife and daughter. He attempted to self-medicate with multiple doses of over-the-counter Benadryl and melatonin, which had no effect. Crucially, just before the incident, he FaceTimed his aunt asking to speak to his mother, who had been dead for two and a half years, indicating a severe disconnect from reality.

Sherry Steines described Mickey as 'psychotic,' 'paranoid,' and 'scared to death,' stating he hadn't slept in 7 days and was watching his security cameras around his house, worried about his wife and daughter. She also recounted the FaceTime call where he asked to speak to 'Mommy Bones,' his deceased mother. (00:00:00, 00:06:48, 00:08:23, 00:09:23, 00:13:04)

Steines' defense attorneys, Jeremy and Carrie Bartley, acknowledge the shooting is not a 'whodunit' as it was caught on video. Instead, their strategy centers on proving Steines' mental state at the time, arguing his 'mind and soul' did not commit the crime. They contend he was operating in an 'altered mental state,' experiencing delusions and a 'very real fear' that his family was in danger, aiming for an insanity defense or a lesser charge of manslaughter due to extreme emotional disturbance.

Jeremy Bartley states, 'The question is not the body. The question in this case is the mind.' He emphasizes, 'we believe that Mr. Steines was under the belief that his wife and daughter were in danger.' (00:18:09, 00:19:05, 00:19:53)

Legal analyst Dave Aronberg explains that an insanity defense, requiring proof of a medical condition and not knowing right from wrong, is difficult. He points to Steines leading the judge into private chambers for the shooting as evidence of premeditation, suggesting Steines knew his actions were wrong. Aronberg believes a more realistic defense is 'extreme emotional disturbance,' which could lead to a lesser conviction of manslaughter, aligning with the defense's claim that Steines believed his family was taken.

Dave Aronberg states, 'to try to get someone acquitted by reason of insanity, you have to show that they have an established medical condition and they didn't know the difference between right and wrong. Very difficult to prove, especially when the sheriff went into the secret chambers... That shows premeditation.' He adds, 'I think that's really the more realistic play' for extreme emotional distress. (00:32:32, 00:33:08, 00:33:37)

The defense highlights the significant stigma surrounding mental health, particularly for men and public officials in regions like Eastern Kentucky. They suggest this stigma, combined with a brief doctor's visit where Steines was accompanied by staff, may have prevented a full and transparent disclosure of his symptoms, leading to a misdiagnosis (only being advised to take over-the-counter sleep aids) instead of proper mental health intervention.

Carrie Bartley notes, 'as a public official and with the stigma that surrounds mental health still, especially in areas like Eastern Kentucky, I think it would be difficult for anyone, particularly a public official, to potentially be completely transparent.' Jeremy Bartley adds, 'was there a diagnosis that was missed the day prior to the shooting? Sure.' (00:23:09, 00:24:13, 00:25:47)