Kentucky Judge Shot by Sheriff: Key Details Emerge

Testimony in a recent court session revealed that a Kentucky judge, shot and killed by a local sheriff, reportedly had no ties to the sheriff’s daughter.

Former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines is accused of fatally shooting Judge Kevin Mullins on September 19, 2024. The incident occurred shortly after lunch, during which both men had been together.

A video obtained previously shows Stines entering Mullins’ office. They conversed for around seven minutes before Stines locked the door. After that, Mullins is seen handing his phone to Stines, who then allegedly shot him at point-blank range. Stines has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

During the court proceedings, Kentucky State Police Detective Clayton Stamper testified that Stines’ wife affirmed that their daughter had no contact with Mullins. The daughter also dispelled any claims of a conversation with the judge, according to the Courier Journal.

Stamper noted the existence of rumors suggesting a relationship between the daughter and Judge Mullins, which both her mother and she denied.

Two police officers who were among the first responders described seeing Stines exit the courtroom with a “blank look” on his face. “He took out the pistol and placed it on a table just inside the courthouse doorway,” Stamper recounted, adding that Stines made a peculiar statement suggesting something about inviting his wife and children.

Stamper confirmed that there were no safety concerns expressed by Stines’ family, nor was there any evidence indicating that they had been lured into the situation.

Reports indicate that Stines underwent a mental evaluation just days following the shooting, revealing that he was still in a confused mental state and lacked memories of recent events.

The testimony from the court was temporarily made public on September 3 before being sealed again.

Stines’ attorney Jeremy Bartley addressed the rampant online speculation regarding phone communications between Stines and his daughter during the incident, stating that Stines had attempted to reach her multiple times, including while in Chambers.

Some have speculated that the phone exchange hinted at a deeper connection between Mullins and Stines’ daughter.

Witnesses noted that leading up to the incident, Stines had been exhibiting signs of paranoia concerning the safety of his family. Bartley mentioned that individuals close to Stines had voiced concerns about his mental state in the weeks prior, noting that he had been struggling with sleep and felt increasingly isolated.