Whitesburg, KY — A former sheriff in Kentucky, accused of the fatal courtroom slaying of a county judge, pleaded not guilty during a courtroom hearing Monday. The former law enforcement officer, 43-year-old Shawn “Mickey” Stines, stood accused of murder after the death of District Judge Kevin Mullins in Letcher County two months prior.
The arraignment marked Stines’ first return to the scene at the Letcher County Courthouse since the alleged murder occurred. Dressed in a baggy, dark gray jail uniform, and in shackles, Stines remained silent and displayed no emotion as his attorney, Kerri Bartley, entered the plea on his behalf.
Mullins, aged 54, was reportedly shot multiple times in his chambers, an attack for which Stines was arrested at the scene. The incident has sent ripples of shock through the small community, sparking discussions about the safety and security of public officials.
The nature of the indictment, delivered by a grand jury last Thursday, left many questions unanswered regarding the motive behind the murder. However, state authorities indicated that if convicted, Stines could face the death penalty due to the gravity of the alleged crime.
Given the close-knit nature of the community and the high-profile standing of both the accused and the victim, special measures were taken, including the assignment of a special prosecutor and a retired judge to handle the case. Additionally, preliminary hearings were held over 100 miles away from Letcher County shortly after the courthouse’s temporary closure as a result of the killing.
During the hearing, Judge Julia H. Adams made it clear that Stines would be denied bond. As the community and legal observers await further proceedings, the case is drawing attention regarding the safety of judicial figures and the profound impact the event has had locally.
Eyewitnesses, including Kentucky State Police, recounted the day of the shooting, describing how law enforcement officials were called into a grim scene where Judge Mullins had been shot. Notably, surveillance footage reviewed during the preliminary hearings depicted a chilling sequence where Mullins attempted to hide behind his desk as Stines fired multiple shots.
While defense attorneys have not disputed that Stines fired the shots, they argued that he acted under “extreme emotional disturbance.” They contended that a charge of first-degree manslaughter would be more fitting than murder, a claim that will be tested as the court delves deeper into Stines’ mental state and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Further intrigue was added to the case by testimony regarding the moments leading up to the shooting. Detective Clayton Stamper of the Kentucky State Police testified last month concerning a peculiar exchange involving the judge’s and Stines’ cell phones. Stamper relayed that moments before the gunfire, Stines had attempted to call his daughter using both his and Mullins’ phones. Interestingly, phone records revealed calls had previously been made from Mullins’ phone to Stines’ daughter.
Adding to the complexity of the scenario, it was revealed that both men had dined together with a group before the incident and showed no outward signs of discord. However, testimony suggests that there may have been an ominous precursor to their meeting in Mullins’ chambers as referenced in their lunch conversation.
As this array of facts continues to unravel, the community is left pondering the deeper implications of this tragic event, awaiting justice for a beloved local judge while grappling with the unsettling breach of peace in their judiciary.