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🔪 Courthouse Horror in Kentucky: Ex-sheriff Accused of Executing Judge Inside His Private Chambers
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Chilling new details emerged after a former Kentucky sheriff accused of fatally shooting a judge appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday wearing a jail uniform and handcuffs.
Former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 43, is facing a first-degree murder charge for allegedly shooting and killing District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, inside the Letcher County Courthouse on September 19.
Stines, who officially retired from his position on Monday, remains behind bars at the Leslie County Detention Center. Chief Regional Judge Rupert Wilhoit decided there was enough evidence presented to send the case to a grand jury.
Kentucky State Police Detective Clayton Stamper testified during the hearing and revealed new details uncovered during the investigation. Stamper said Stines and Mullins went out to lunch together along with several others earlier in the day on September 19
“I was told that Judge made a statement to Mickey about, ‘Do we need to meet private in my chambers?’ That’s all I was told,” Stamper said.
Former Letcher County Ky. Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines wipes his eyes as he listens to testimony during his arraignment at the Morgan Count…
Stamper said he was told from other officers that inside Mullins’ chambers, prior to the shooting, Stines tried to call his daughter. He then borrowed Mullins’ phone and tried to call her again.
Surveillance footage of the shooting was played in the courtroom. Stines looked down as the video was played.
Stines’ daughter has been interviewed by investigators with a parent present and the phones were sent to a forensic lab to be downloaded.
Former Letcher County Ky. Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, accused of killing District Judge Kevin Mullins, looks at a witness during testimon…
Stamper said that Stines told officers, “they’re trying to kidnap my wife and kid,” after the shooting as he was taken into custody.
Defense attorney Jeremy Bartley argued that Stines was experiencing an “extreme emotional disturbance” when the shooting happened.
“I think they’ve established probable cause for manslaughter first, but not murder,” Bartley said.
Stines was first elected as sheriff in 2018, then re-elected in 2022. He could face the death penalty if convicted.
Jeremy Bartley, right, lead counsel for former Letcher County Ky. Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, who is accused of killing District Judge Ke… | Timothy D. Easley/AP Photo
Mullins was a judge in the 47th Judicial District. He was first appointed in 2009 by former Gov. Steve Beshear. He was elected to the position the following year.
“Sadly, I have been informed that a district judge in Letcher County was shot and killed in his chambers this afternoon. There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said on X following the shooting.
The community gathered to mourn Mullins on September 22.
“His passion for people was his magic touch. He can’t begin to count the number of lives that he saved or improved,” state Supreme Court Judge Debra Lambert said at the funeral. “Our court family aches at his loss.”
District Judge Kevin Mullins was fatally shot on Thursday in the Letcher County Courthouse. Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines was…
Lambert served on the state Judicial Commission on Mental Health with Mullins.
Matt Brown, president of Addiction Recovery Care in Kentucky, said Mullins would send low-level drug offenders to rehab instead of jail.
“He was an innovator,” Brown said. “He was way ahead of the curve.”
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