Matthew A. Stinnett
How Judge Stinnett decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
On Rule 12(b)(6) of a Kentucky insurance bad-faith (KUCSPA) claim, applies the Wittmer v. Jones three-element test element-by-element and dismisses where the complaint fails any element.
“explaining the three-element test set forth in Wittmer v. Jones ... Magistrate Judge Stinnett goes on to explain why Plaintiff's allegations fail to satisfy each of the three essential elements”
On traffic-stop suppression, objective probable cause for the traffic violation governs regardless of the officer's subjective motive; an ongoing equipment violation (window tint) supports the stop, the Rodriguez 'extension' question turns on the stop's mission, and a K9 alert justifies the search once reliability is shown by training evidence.
“Jackson's tint strip was an ongoing violation of KRS 189.110(9) for which he could be lawfully stopped without infringing on his Fourth Amendment rights, regardless of Officer Gabriel's subjective motives ... the K9 ... is a well-trained and reliable narcotics-detection K9”
Procedural preferences
Holds evidentiary hearings on contested suppression motions before recommending a disposition.
“Judge Stinnett held a hearing on the matter on November 19, 2025. ... Judge Stinnett then prepared a Report & Recommendation recommending that Defendant Jackson's Motion be denied.”
Cautions
On sec.2254 habeas, even where Kentucky's framework opens the Martinez/Trevino door to excuse a procedural default via ineffective post-conviction counsel, the underlying Strickland trial-IAC claim must still be 'substantial' on the merits; conclusory IAC grounds contradicted by the plea-colloquy record fail.
“even if Stacy can establish that his post-conviction counsel was constitutionally ineffective ... he has not established that his underlying claims alleging ineffective assistance of trial counsel are 'substantial' or have 'some merit'”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Defendant Union Insurance Company's Motion to Dismiss, [R. 19], is GRANTED. Count II of Plaintiff's Amended Complaint, [R. 15], is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.”
“The Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus [R. 1] is DENIED with prejudice. The Magistrate Judge's Report and Recommendation [R. 33] is ADOPTED”
“Defendant Jackson's Motion to Suppress [R. 44] is DENIED.”