Experts talk about amount of evidence, processes, reasons for delay, and possible release from home incarceration.

The post Former attorney and public defender discuss Spradlin trial appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

State Crime Lab employee explains delay in DNA evidence processing.

The post Spradlin trial delayed again appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

WHITESBURG, Ky. — After a nearly six-month delay, the murder case against a former Letcher County sheriff is heading back to court. Former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Mickey Stines is charged with murder for the Sept. 19, 2024, shooting death of Letcher District Judge Kevin Mullins in the judge’s chambers. The parties were last in court on Dec. 18, but that hearing was abruptly canceled before it began, after defense attorneys raised questions about whether Special Judge Christopher Cohron should recuse himself from the case, due to his prior relationship with Mullins. That was quickly followed by a motion for […]

The post Stines case heading back to court after months of delays appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — A third high-ranking employee has filed suit against Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, claiming she was fired for not following orders to submit false billing codes. Kristy Stiltner, of Van Lear, filed her complaint May 1. In it, she says she was a 22-year employee of the organization who most recently served as Mental Health Director. Stiltner makes claims that she was told to engage in improper billing practices in order to generate more revenue for the company. Her claims are nearly identical to allegations made by former Chief Financial Officer Rebeckah Hall and former Regional Billing Coordinator […]

The post Third former employee sues Mountain Comprehensive Care, claims firing for not submitting false bills appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

PAINTSVILLE, Ky. — What began as an investigation into the theft of bicycles resulted in a Paintsville sex offender being arrested for failing to maintain his registration requirements. Paintsville Police were called Sunday to a home on Second Street over a report that two bicycles had been stolen the previous evening. The homeowner was able to provide footage allegedly showing Jessie Lee Ward, 48, walking into the back yard and taking two bicycles worth a combined $500. Police located Ward at his workplace and cited him for misdemeanor theft. He was able to return one of the bicycles at that […]

The post Bicycle theft results in sex offender being arrested for not maintaining registration appeared first on Mountain Top Media.