Binion sentenced to 12 years in prison after stabbing

From Jeremy D. Wells

Carter County Times

An Olive Hill woman was sentenced to 12 years in prison Monday afternoon for attacking two men without cause in January 2023. Judge Rebecca Phillips also ordered Billie Binion to pay a total of $3,000 in restitution to her victims, Clifford “Scottie” James and Clyde James. Clifford, who Binion stabbed in the shoulder with a knife, breaking off part of the blade in the wound, is to receive $2,000 in restitution. Clyde, who suffered a cut on his face, is to receive $1,000 in restitution for his injuries.

According to police reports from victims and eyewitnesses, Scottie and Clyde were talking with Binion in the parking lot when she pulled out the knife and attacked them without provocation. Surveillance video of the incident seemed to confirm this account. Olive Hill Police Chief Bruce Palmer said at the time that about three to four inches of the blade broke off in Clifford’s wound.

Phillips also ordered that after serving her sentence and being released, Binion must avoid all contact with her victims or their families and continue to undergo regular psychiatric evaluations and treatment.

Binion was sentenced to five years in prison for each of the two attacks and an additional two years for fleeing and eluding police. These sentences were all to be served consecutively, with a 60-day sentence for the resisting arrest charge to be served concurrently with her other sentences.

That sentence was part of a plea deal in which Binion pleaded guilty last month to amended charges of first- and second-degree assault while inflicting extreme emotional disturbance. The change changed the charges from one Class A felony, punishable by ten to twenty years, and one Class B felony, punishable by five to ten years, to two Class D felonies, each punishable by up to five years.

In her sentencing, the judge also referred to Binion’s previous convictions – including both drug and violent offenses – and their connection to her mental health problems. She urged Binion to take advantage of the counseling and medical advice that would be offered to her while in custody.

“I hope you get the help you need,” Phillips told Binion.
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