Former Letcher County Sheriff Faces Murder Charge in Judge’s Death
Former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines has been indicted on a charge of murder of a public official in the death of District Judge Kevin Mullins. The indictment, announced on November 21, 2024, follows the fatal shooting of Judge Mullins inside the Letcher County courthouse on September 19, 2024. (wjhl.com)
Stines, 43, was arrested shortly after the incident and charged with first-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty to the charge on September 25, 2024. Following the arrest, Stines resigned from his position as sheriff on September 30, 2024, after receiving a formal request from Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Kentucky General Counsel S. Travis Mayo. (wjhl.com)
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Investigations revealed that Stines attempted to contact his daughter using Judge Mullins’ phone shortly before the incident. Surveillance footage from the courthouse shows Stines entering Mullins’ chambers, making phone calls, and then fatally shooting the judge. (apnews.com)
Stines’ arraignment on the new charge is scheduled for November 25, 2024. If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of 20 years to life in prison, with the possibility of the death penalty due to the victim’s status as a public official. (apnews.com)
The case has deeply affected the community of Whitesburg, Kentucky, where both Stines and Mullins were well-known figures. Residents are seeking answers as the legal process unfolds. (apnews.com)
