WHITESBURG, Ky. — A Letcher County man is in custody following an hours-long standoff with Kentucky State Police that began with a domestic violence investigation early Friday morning.

Troopers were called to Buck Road in Whitesburg just after 4 a.m. after receiving a report of a domestic assault.

According to KSP, the individuals involved had fled to a nearby home before officers arrived. When troopers attempted to make contact at the residence, authorities say a man barricaded himself inside with several other people and refused to come out.

After a brief standoff, two women and another man exited the home and told troopers that Dusty Shell, 36, of Emmalena remained inside armed with a firearm, along with another man.

Kentucky State Police secured the area and called in the agency’s Special Response Team. Following negotiations, Shell surrendered without incident.

Shell was taken to the Letcher County Jail and charged with second-degree assault related to domestic violence, second-degree terroristic threatening and parole violations.

Police also arrested Amy Griffith, 45, of Hindman on an unrelated out-of-state warrant.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A group of local investors based in Pikeville have officially launched Blue Gem Capital, a new angel investment fund dedicated to supporting companies originating in the Central Appalachian region and businesses conducting substantial operations within the region.

Blue Gem Capital will make equity and equity-like investments in early-stage to mid-sized Main Street and high-growth small businesses. The Fund is designed to cultivate a diverse portfolio of investment opportunities across various industries and stages of growth, with a strong emphasis on regional economic development.

The Fund is currently capitalized at $1.1 million, raised from 14 private investors along with support from Kentucky-based Commonwealth Seed Capital Fund.

Blue Gem Capital is managed by its private investors, who collectively review and approve all investment transactions. The majority of investments will be made within the Central Appalachian region, reinforcing the Fund’s commitment to strengthening local businesses and communities.

Rick West, Chairman of Blue Gem Capital and a longtime regional business leader and investor, emphasized the long-term vision behind the initiative.

“Forming a fund like this has been a goal of our investor group for some time,” said West. “We believe there is tremendous untapped potential in Central Appalachia. Blue Gem Capital is perfectly positioned  to support promising, emerging companies in need of growth capital while also creating meaningful opportunities for community-minded investors to invest back into the region.”

Jessica Bledsoe, Director of Impact Investing at the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, highlighted the importance of expanding access to capital in the region.

“We are fortunate to have a fund like Blue Gem Capital rooted right here in our region,” said Bledsoe. “Access to early-stage capital has historically been one of the biggest barriers facing entrepreneurs in Central Appalachia. This fund represents more than investment dollars. It represents belief in our people, our ideas, and our future. With support from partners like the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Appalachian Investors Alliance (AIA), and SOAR, we are building the infrastructure entrepreneurs need to grow businesses, create jobs, and strengthen our local economy.”

Blue Gem Capital is part of a multi-state network of angel funds managed by the Appalachian Investors Alliance. Through this network, the Fund can leverage shared expertise, co-investment opportunities, and regional collaboration to better support portfolio companies and investors alike.

Entrepreneurs seeking investment and individuals interested in learning more about becoming investors can visit https://bluegemcap.com. Applications and additional information are available online.

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FRANKFORT, Ky. — A Floyd County man who was indicted on armed drug trafficking charges earlier this year will remain behind bars while he awaits a resolution to his case.

David Lee Ousley, 44, of Martin, was arrested Jan. 15, after Kentucky State Police raided his home and seized nearly three-quarters of a pound of meth, 7 lbs. of marijuana, an assortment of pills, more than $6,700 in cash and more than 30 guns.

A week later, his case was bumped up to federal court, when he was indicted for conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of meth, possession of more than 50 grams of meth with the intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in a drug-trafficking crime. If convicted, he could face a minimum of 15 years in prison, up to a maximum of two consecutive life sentences.

His attorney requested a detention hearing to see if he could qualify for release on bail. That hearing was held Tuesday in Frankfort federal court, and on Wednesday, a federal magistrate ruled that Ousley would remain in jail.

In his detention order, the judge concluded there were no pretrial release conditions he could set that would guarantee the safety of the community, due to the seriousness of the charges, Ousley’s likelihood of reoffending, and his history of violence, substance abuse and mental illness.

Ousley is currently being held in the Grayson County Detention Center. His trial has been set for June 11.

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Training will allow for advanced care of patients.

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Troopers lay wreaths on fallen Post 9 troopers.

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Exercise teaches how to read fire and smoke behavior.

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Appalachian Center for the Arts and AppalReD Legal Aid just a few of those involved.

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

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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 recusal on Dec. 29. Judge Cohron denied that motion March 6. Stines then filed an affidavit asking the Supreme Court to remove Cohron from the case, which the high could denied April 18.

With the his status now decided, Cohron has now ordered the parties to appear at the Leslie County Courthouse on June 5. In his order, the judge said he wants to receive a status update from the prosecution and defense, and he said he would consider all pending motions.

Matters still pending before the court include:

• A motion by the prosecution to move the trial out of Letcher County and not to any adjacent county. The defense has objected to this request.
• A motion by the prosecution for a second psychiatric examination of Stines, which was made after the results of the first examination, also requested by the prosecution and conducted at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center, came back.
• A motion by the defense to set bond for Stines.

The hearing will take place in Leslie County District Court at 10 a.m.

A copy of the judge’s order follows:

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