Retired judge shot dead at home in Wisconsin
Former Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker spoke on “Fox News @ Night” about the growing threat of violence against celebrities in America and concerns about the safety of Supreme Court justices.
Attorneys say Sean “Mickey” Stines, the Kentucky sheriff accused of fatally shooting a district judge in his waiting room, did not plan the murder and was insane.
Defense barrister Jeremy Bartley said: “It wasn't premeditated, it wasn't something that happened out of passion.” told the people. “For us, the highest level of guilt should be manslaughter based on the partial defense of extreme mental disorder.”
Video of the shooting, played without audio during the Oct. 1 preliminary hearing, shows Letcher County Sheriff Stines shooting District Judge Kevin Mullins multiple times as he sat at his desk on Sept. 19. It is said that he was
The sheriff, a longtime colleague and friend of the judge, allegedly continued firing after Mullins fell to the floor.
Kentucky sheriff appears on video firing at judge during shocking preliminary hearing
Former Letcher County Sheriff Sean “Mickey” Stines looks over at prosecutors during his arraignment at the Morgan County Courthouse on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 in West Liberty, Kentucky. Stines is charged with the murder of District Judge Kevin Mullins. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
“We believe there must have been some compelling reason why Sheriff Stines felt he had to take action,” Bartley said. “We look forward to receiving additional information and getting started.[ning] To tell his story. ”
According to the newspaper, Kentucky State Police Detective Clayton Stamper testified at the preliminary hearing that the two men had eaten lunch as a group several hours before the shooting. Louisville Courier Journal.
“I heard the judge say to Mickey, 'Do we need to meet privately in a private room?'” Stamper testified. Associated Press reported.
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Authorities say District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was killed in the judge's chambers by Letcher County Sheriff Sean M. Stines, 43. (Kentucky State Court, Letcher County Sheriff's Office)
According to Stamper News, Stines called her daughter on her phone and then tried to call Mullins' phone, but Stines' daughter was saved in Mullins' contacts, according to the Associated Press. That's what it means.
Asked whether Stines had a motive to shoot Mullins based on what he saw on the judge's cell phone, Stamper said: “Maybe, but I don't really know.” Ta.
New video shows Kentucky sheriff pointing gun at judge before alleged shooting
A Kentucky sheriff was seen pointing a gun at the judge in the waiting room. (Letcher County handout)
“I talked to him and he didn't say anything about why this happened,” Stamper said, according to the Associated Press. “But he was calm… basically all he said was, 'Please treat me fairly.'”
When Stines was taken into custody, Stines told another officer, “They're trying to kidnap my wife and child,” Stamper said.
Sean “Mickey” Stines wipes his eyes as he listens to testimony during his arraignment on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
The Whitesburg shooting shook the community of Letcher County, Kentucky, where Stein served as bailiff of the Mullins courthouse before becoming sheriff in 2018.
“We are all shocked by this,” Mullins' friend and former Jenkins mayor, Garnard Kinser Jr., told People magazine. “It effectively left us immobile. I can't believe that happened.”
Sean Stein booking photo. Friday, September 20, 2024, provided by the Leslie County, Kentucky Detention Center. (Leslie County Detention Center, via AP)
Stines resigned as sheriff last week but pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges. A judge ruled at a hearing Oct. 2 that there was enough evidence to move forward with the case.
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Bartley could not be reached for comment at press time.
