Former Sheriff Admits to Fatally Shooting Judge in Courthouse

A previous sheriff from Kentucky, implicated in the fatal shooting of a sitting judge within a courthouse, has confessed to pulling the trigger. Court documents recently filed indicate that the defense is focusing on insanity claims as the trial approaches.

Sean “Mickey” Stines, who stepped down as the sheriff of Letcher County following the murder in September 2024, admitted in a new filing that he shot District Judge Kevin Mullins during a confrontation at the Whitesburg courthouse. This information comes from documents acquired by local media.

While there was no audio, video evidence revealed a man, identified as Stines by law enforcement, drawing a firearm and shooting at the judge who was seated at his desk. He then circled around the desk to point the gun at Mullins and fired several times. Stines faces charges of first-degree murder and murdering a public official.

This admission coincides with Stines’ legal team’s efforts to show that he was grappling with “extreme mental illness” before the incident. They appear to be preparing a comprehensive insanity defense, according to reports.

A social worker’s statement described Stines, days after the shooting, as being in an “advanced state of psychosis,” suggesting he was not fully aware of the criminal charges he faced. Notably, Stines reportedly had an incident that required the use of pepper spray while in custody.

Before the shooting, Stines informed investigators that he was experiencing symptoms such as dizziness and memory loss, which he attributed to California encephalitis, a neurological condition linked to insect bites.

Prosecutors haven’t commented on the recent filings. Meanwhile, Stines’ lawyers are arguing that certain psychiatric evaluations should remain private, a stance that a judge has recently backed.

Stines resigned just days after the shooting and is currently being held without bail in eastern Kentucky.

According to Kentucky law, demonstrating mental incompetence or severe emotional distress could potentially exempt Stines from the death penalty. In a parallel development, the widow of Judge Mullins has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against Stines and three other employees from the Letcher County Sheriff’s Office.

Kimberly Mullins, alongside their two children, has accused Stines of assault, and she claims other deputies failed to warn the sheriff about signs of anxiety and paranoia he exhibited before the shooting.

Stines later admitted to shooting Mullins during the civil suit proceedings, claiming he had displayed signs of paranoia and psychosis.

Stines’ attorneys are reportedly seeking to dismiss the wrongful death suit based on sovereign immunity, which shields government officials from civil liability while performing their official duties. They have also asked the judge to dismiss negligence claims, arguing these claims necessitate proof of intent.

The defense further outlined potential arguments regarding Stines’ mental state at the time of the alleged crime, asserting he was “out of control” due to a “pre-existing medical condition.”

Stines’ legal team did not immediately respond to inquiries for comments. Last week, a judge declined to dismiss the criminal charges against him; however, Stines’ lawyers argue that the prosecution did not inform the grand jury about their client’s mental state during the incident, and the proceedings lacked adequate documentation.