In September 2024, former Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stins from Letcher County, Kentucky, was involved in a shocking incident where he shot District Judge Kevin Mullins, a man he had known for many years. This event, captured on surveillance footage, sent ripples through the small town of Whitesburg and garnered significant attention from the true crime community.
Stins’ defense team indicated that the shooting was influenced by a lengthy civil lawsuit connected to a former deputy accused of abusing a woman while she was under court supervision. This civil suit implicated Stins as well.
January 31, 2022: Lawsuit Filed
A woman named Sabrina Adkins filed a civil lawsuit against former Letcher County Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Fields, alleging he coerced her into sexual acts while she was incarcerated at home. The suit claimed that after she stopped complying, she faced arrest. Stins, as Fields’ supervisor, was also named in the lawsuit for failing to properly train him.
Adkins’ attorney, Ned Pillardorf, stated that Fields had directed her to offer sexual favors to others and indicated there were potentially more victims. The accusations have led to serious concerns about the environment in the courthouse, with claims of systemic exploitation emerging.
September 29, 2022: Criminal Charges Filed
January 4, 2024: Sentencing
September 16, 2024: Stins Steps Down
Shortly after Fields was incarcerated, Stins resigned from his position in connection with the ongoing civil suit. His attorney reported that he was extremely anxious and paranoid about his family’s safety, fearing repercussions from his involvement in the case.
September 19, 2024: The Incident
On the day of the shooting, Stins and Mullins had lunch together just before the tragic event. Eyewitnesses noted Stins seemed off and anxious, even discussing his worries about the upcoming election. Those who saw him that day remarked on his strange behavior.
Later, while delivering food with a colleague, Stins became increasingly paranoid when he arrived at the wrong location to deliver items to a disabled person. This only heightened his unease.
That afternoon, after a private conversation in Mullins’ office, surveillance footage showed Stins locking the door and then approaching the judge with a firearm. The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain unclear, but it is evident he felt threatened.
Aftermath
Following the incident, Kentucky State Police conducted a press conference outlining the events. Stins was taken into custody and cooperated with the investigation, which relied on the surveillance evidence.
November 21, 2024: Legal Proceedings
In November, Stins was formally indicted on a charge of murder. His defense attorney indicated that they would utilize an insanity plea and present evidence regarding his mental state. The prosecution has not yet responded to such claims.
