Letcher County, KY Sheriff arrested in shooting death of District Judge

Sheriff Mickey Stines was arrested after surrendering himself to police. The shooting occurred in the judge’s chambers about 3 p.m. this afternoon (September 19).
Stines allegedly walked into the judge’s outer office, told court employees and others gathered there that he needed to speak with District Judge Kevin D. Mullins alone. The two then went into the inner office, closed the door and those outside heard shots. Stines walked out with his hands up and surrendered to police.

Court employees were on the sidewalk outside the courthouse in shock following the shooting. Stines was handcuffed in the foyer of the courthouse. Officials expected the investigation to continue for several more hours.

Sheriff arrested in shooting death of District Judge - The Mountain Eagle

Kentucky State Police and Letcher County Coroner Perry Fowler were still at the Letcher County Courthouse at 5 p.m. today investigating the shooting death of Letcher District Judge Kevin D. Mullins, apparently by the Letcher County Sheriff. Officials say Sheriff Mickey Stines was arrested after...

www.themountaineagle.com

 

[GrandmaBear]

Apparently the judge and the sheriff went to lunch together daily. That was a normal occurrence. So this was after lunch by quite some time. The video begins around 14.40 and ends with the shooting about 12 minutes later.
I am guessing the meeting was a regular staff meeting perhaps.

Yeah I know they were friends at least had been, so I can perhaps let that go. Judge would have a staff of course, I didn't actually see a new video just some pics so maybe I missed it. I thought they were all just pictures. While I was up, it still had been a very long day and was just trying to catch up some. I did see the earlier video back some time back where he shot the judge but not the crowd. Going to have to catch up and look at it at some point. Man I still haven't seen all of the Delphi releases either.

Sounded to me like all had been to lunch together. Was the sheriff in the room or come in while staff was and tell them to get out? Whil I am unfortunately up and would have preferred not to be at this point, I'm still wiped from the day yesterday. Trying a bit to catch up both here and on YT a bit but not real lively. It's not business hours here yet, so I can't get on most things I need to and just watch, THEN I will be asleep and go into the coma like sleeps. I hope I can manage something today, I REALLY need to.

Anyhow, I took it they were all in the room, so I guess until I know, not sure what to think. In my head, the sheriff does not belong in there with the judge's staff for instance. Like said, I don't know the rules but they are TO BE unbiased (judges). I guess they could try to play it off as a meeting and that sheriff's office provided courthouse security for staff or something. I guess like been saying a lot, will see how it shakes out I guess... And I truly am actually not certain of the rules on such.

 

[Tresir]

Yeah I know they were friends at least had been, so I can perhaps let that go. Judge would have a staff of course, I didn't actually see a new video just some pics so maybe I missed it. I thought they were all just pictures. While I was up, it still had been a very long day and was just trying to catch up some. I did see the earlier video back some time back where he shot the judge but not the crowd. Going to have to catch up and look at it at some point. Man I still haven't seen all of the Delphi releases either.

Sounded to me like all had been to lunch together. Was the sheriff in the room or come in while staff was and tell them to get out? Whil I am unfortunately up and would have preferred not to be at this point, I'm still wiped from the day yesterday. Trying a bit to catch up both here and on YT a bit but not real lively. It's not business hours here yet, so I can't get on most things I need to and just watch, THEN I will be asleep and go into the coma like sleeps. I hope I can manage something today, I REALLY need to.

Anyhow, I took it they were all in the room, so I guess until I know, not sure what to think. In my head, the sheriff does not belong in there with the judge's staff for instance. Like said, I don't know the rules but they are TO BE unbiased (judges). I guess they could try to play it off as a meeting and that sheriff's office provided courthouse security for staff or something. I guess like been saying a lot, will see how it shakes out I guess... And I truly am actually not certain of the rules on such.

The full video is linked in the article but i got the times from the stills.

The Sheriff is going for an insanity defence, apparently.

 

[GrandmaBear]

The full video is linked in the article but i got the times from the stills.

The Sheriff is going for an insanity defence, apparently.

I recall the insanity hints now yeah. Well he did seem a bit temporarily over the top, not saying he doesn't deserve prison though, just have to see I guess the reason and all one day hopefully too.
Thank you.

 

[Cousin Dupree]

I just wanna find out what the whole thing was about.

 

[Kimster]

I just wanna find out what the whole thing was about.

Me too.

 

[Tresir]

I don't think we will find out what it was about if he gets the insanity defence. I think he was delusional. We can only be thankful he did not go on a rampage and shoot more people.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Agree and disagree a bit. As of this point, unless other people know, witnessed, etc, if he doesn't take the stand, the real reason may never be known as they can claim about anything unless more is known by LE/the D, etc. unless the P has found more.

As far as insanity, the man was just out for lunch with the judge. Temporary insanity maybe... Not even sure what states that would fly in...

Really though more so, I don't think we know enough yet.

 

[Tresir]

Agree and disagree a bit. As of this point, unless other people know, witnessed, etc, if he doesn't take the stand, the real reason may never be known as they can claim about anything unless more is known by LE/the D, etc. unless the P has found more.

As far as insanity, the man was just out for lunch with the judge. Temporary insanity maybe... Not even sure what states that would fly in...

Really though more so, I don't think we know enough yet.

I think it must be something to do with the other court case that convicted his deputy. He had to give evidence or a deposition or something. I guess we won't know it all till trial.

 

[Tresir]

OK I don't think this has been posted before. The Sheriff is going to have a pysch evaluation to use in his insanity defence.

Former Letcher County sheriff accused of murdering judge to undergo psych evaluation

Former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines, accused of murdering a district judge, will receive a psych evaluation before eventually going to trial.

www.courier-journal.com

A former Kentucky sheriff charged with the murder of Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins is receiving a psychiatric evaluation to use for his defense when he eventually goes to trial.
Court records show Shawn "Mickey" Stines will be examined at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center after recent filings of a motion for a psychiatric evaluation Monday by Attorney Jeremy Bartley, who represents the former Letcher Sheriff, and plans to use an insanity defense.
Bartley previously said "extreme emotional disturbance" will be a key portion of the legal defense for Stines and "expert evidence relating to a mental disease or defect or mental condition bearing on the issue of guilt and punishment" will be presented when the case goes to trial. A psychiatric review at KCPC is a required step as part of that defense, he said.
Stines is accused of killing Mullins in a shooting on Sept. 19 and has been in custody since it took place inside Mullins' private chambers at the Letcher courthouse in downtown Whitesburg. He has pleaded not guilty to one count of murder of a public official, with the case pending in Letcher Circuit Court.
Mullins had served as district judge in the county since 2009, while Stines had served as his bailiff for several years before being elected sheriff in 2018.

With attorneys Kerri Bartley, left, and Jeremy Bartley, right, behind him, former sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines walks into the Letcher County courtroom in Whitesburg, Ky. … Show more
Matt Stone/Courier Journal/USA Today/Imagn
Residents and city officials in Whitesburg, with a population of about 2,000 people, have said the two were friends.
More: Ex-sheriff’s mental state will be key in defense of Kentucky judge shooting. Where the case stands
A motive behind the shooting is still unclear, but during a court hearing last fall, when footage of Stines shooting Mullins was shown, a Kentucky State Police detective said Stines had tried to call his daughter just before the shooting and then attempted to call her using the judge's phone.
Last week, Court TV published a video from inside Mullins' office taken earlier in the day of the shooting that showed the two men and three others talking without any visual signs of disagreement, and police have said Mullins and Stines ate lunch together that afternoon.
Bartley has also said a deposition Stines took part in a few days before the shooting could be a factor in the trial. Stines was deposed as part of a federal lawsuit against a deputy found guilty on state charges of trading sexual favors inside the courthouse with women on home incarceration in exchange for favorable treatment — Stines was only accused in that case of failing to train and monitor that deputy, Ben Fields. Mullins was not accused of wrongdoing.
It's unknown when Stines will next appear in court. At a court hearing in January, prosecutors estimated the discovery process would take another four to six months.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I think it must be something to do with the other court case that convicted his deputy. He had to give evidence or a deposition or something. I guess we won't know it all till trial.

IF we get to know. I have that one on my list of possibilities too, that other case, or maybe was about to lose his job, but why would the judge be the target, althought I guess judge could have been the deciding person in that case, or anyone coming....

I guess I was assuming all along he went to lunch with all and was fine and then went from zero to 100 but perhaps, have we thought about maybe he came to work with an issue but played along on required things, or planned things like lunch, and waited for his chance....

I wonder if they rode together.... I mean we really don't know enough. He did seem to go from zero to 100 where we all lean I think, but I guess we honestly don't know something didn't come up earlier either that he cleared the chambers out... And then got increasingly upset...

 

[GrandmaBear]

OK I don't think this has been posted before. The Sheriff is going to have a pysch evaluation to use in his insanity defence.

Former Letcher County sheriff accused of murdering judge to undergo psych evaluation

Former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines, accused of murdering a district judge, will receive a psych evaluation before eventually going to trial.

www.courier-journal.com

A former Kentucky sheriff charged with the murder of Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins is receiving a psychiatric evaluation to use for his defense when he eventually goes to trial.
Court records show Shawn "Mickey" Stines will be examined at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center after recent filings of a motion for a psychiatric evaluation Monday by Attorney Jeremy Bartley, who represents the former Letcher Sheriff, and plans to use an insanity defense.
Bartley previously said "extreme emotional disturbance" will be a key portion of the legal defense for Stines and "expert evidence relating to a mental disease or defect or mental condition bearing on the issue of guilt and punishment" will be presented when the case goes to trial. A psychiatric review at KCPC is a required step as part of that defense, he said.
Stines is accused of killing Mullins in a shooting on Sept. 19 and has been in custody since it took place inside Mullins' private chambers at the Letcher courthouse in downtown Whitesburg. He has pleaded not guilty to one count of murder of a public official, with the case pending in Letcher Circuit Court.
Mullins had served as district judge in the county since 2009, while Stines had served as his bailiff for several years before being elected sheriff in 2018.

With attorneys Kerri Bartley, left, and Jeremy Bartley, right, behind him, former sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines walks into the Letcher County courtroom in Whitesburg, Ky. … Show more
Matt Stone/Courier Journal/USA Today/Imagn
Residents and city officials in Whitesburg, with a population of about 2,000 people, have said the two were friends.
More: Ex-sheriff’s mental state will be key in defense of Kentucky judge shooting. Where the case stands
A motive behind the shooting is still unclear, but during a court hearing last fall, when footage of Stines shooting Mullins was shown, a Kentucky State Police detective said Stines had tried to call his daughter just before the shooting and then attempted to call her using the judge's phone.
Last week, Court TV published a video from inside Mullins' office taken earlier in the day of the shooting that showed the two men and three others talking without any visual signs of disagreement, and police have said Mullins and Stines ate lunch together that afternoon.
Bartley has also said a deposition Stines took part in a few days before the shooting could be a factor in the trial. Stines was deposed as part of a federal lawsuit against a deputy found guilty on state charges of trading sexual favors inside the courthouse with women on home incarceration in exchange for favorable treatment — Stines was only accused in that case of failing to train and monitor that deputy, Ben Fields. Mullins was not accused of wrongdoing.
It's unknown when Stines will next appear in court. At a court hearing in January, prosecutors estimated the discovery process would take another four to six months.

So the sheriff had been serving for seven years is one thing I take away here, the judge a lot longer, but not my point.

Still sounds like temporary insanity to me as best shot otherwise the county was fine for seven years with a sheriff that was no offense to him but they want to claim it, insane...

I agree it is likely one of a few things that just was the end of his rope, or he was concerned about being found out, and so on. I think we've bandied most of them about on the thread.

Also interesting is the SEEMED to be fine earlier in the day... From the article too. And why did the judge have how many people in his office earlier in the day also. I mean I said earlier even about the group after lunch, I don't know about that and now we have two times that day of a group in the judge's office and Stines apparently there both times...

Don't know....

 

[Tresir]

So the sheriff had been serving for seven years is one thing I take away here, the judge a lot longer, but not my point.

Still sounds like temporary insanity to me as best shot otherwise the county was fine for seven years with a sheriff that was no offense to him but they want to claim it, insane...

I agree it is likely one of a few things that just was the end of his rope, or he was concerned about being found out, and so on. I think we've bandied most of them about on the thread.

Also interesting is the SEEMED to be fine earlier in the day... From the article too. And why did the judge have how many people in his office earlier in the day also. I mean I said earlier even about the group after lunch, I don't know about that and now we have two times that day of a group in the judge's office and Stines apparently there both times...

Don't know....

Before the sheriff was sheriff, he was the judges bailiff.

Also, we have heard this before.

Video link to follow. (Ashleigh Banfield video.)

 

[Kimster]

That's crazy that they were such good friend and then the sheriff murdered him like that. I have to think there's something going on with the sheriff's daughter, like the rumors speculate. Either the judge was inappropriate, or the sheriff thought something was inappropriate. We'll find out!

 

[GrandmaBear]

First off, the judge allegedly wasn't pure here and supposedly there is video per the short video above. Another thing notable in say that is that the lawsuit was against Fields, the sheriff, and higher ups but the higher ups were not named, doesn't seem right at all.

They say judge is on video having sex with a girl and he also traded sexual favors for the power he had over them I'm sure and so on, but it never said the girl was a minor. In that instance anyhow. Still it's as corrupt as heck and wrong.

Stines was upset many have said over this lawsuit and falling apart, but the judge was clearly dirty too unless this evidence doesn't really exist but it is said in the lawsuit, how come the judge felt so secure though...

Let's also not forget the talk or rumor that the higher ups had the sheriff's wife and daughter being held or some such...? Can't recall who said that, was it Stines attorney?

I'm sure I said countless times way above when all are dirty or most and they end up turning on the other to save their own arse...

Well we know the possibilities here and have discussed the obvious ones, we have some facts, and some unconfirmed rumors... Rumors can be total b.s. but on occasion where there is smoke, there is fire...

It was worth the 5 minutes to watch that, although i sometime find them to be a bit sensational but in this case, the remark about that courtroom or part of their system at least was like a brothel probably not so far fetched...

 

[Tresir]

First off, the judge allegedly wasn't pure here and supposedly there is video per the short video above. Another thing notable in say that is that the lawsuit was against Fields, the sheriff, and higher ups but the higher ups were not named, doesn't seem right at all.

They say judge is on video having sex with a girl and he also traded sexual favors for the power he had over them I'm sure and so on, but it never said the girl was a minor. In that instance anyhow. Still it's as corrupt as heck and wrong.

Stines was upset many have said over this lawsuit and falling apart, but the judge was clearly dirty too unless this evidence doesn't really exist but it is said in the lawsuit, how come the judge felt so secure though...

Let's also not forget the talk or rumor that the higher ups had the sheriff's wife and daughter being held or some such...? Can't recall who said that, was it Stines attorney?

I'm sure I said countless times way above when all are dirty or most and they end up turning on the other to save their own arse...

Well we know the possibilities here and have discussed the obvious ones, we have some facts, and some unconfirmed rumors... Rumors can be total b.s. but on occasion where there is smoke, there is fire...

It was worth the 5 minutes to watch that, although i sometime find them to be a bit sensational but in this case, the remark about that courtroom or part of their system at least was like a brothel probably not so far fetched...

I think there has been improper goings on for some time and this was a "falling out among thieves" for want of a better saying. The sheriff shot the judge pretty much in cold blood and then turns himself in immediately. How can that possible be an insanity plea? He clearly knew what he was doing was wrong. What we do not know here is the why.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I think there has been improper goings on for some time and this was a "falling out among thieves" for want of a better saying. The sheriff shot the judge pretty much in cold blood and then turns himself in immediately. How can that possible be an insanity plea? He clearly knew what he was doing was wrong. What we do not know here is the why.

Exactly. The why.

He could have been upset and learned or thought the judge was going to go free and decided to take it in his own hands...

Or he could have been silencing the judge for his own sake but I don't see that so much as he is jailed anyhow.

Or it is something else of the things we've discussed here like the daughter and so on.

We really aren't going to know until we have more of a why

You know there really has been thus far that I can think of anyhow any hint of the sheriff being part of these sexual favor things, although doesn't mean he wasn't or wasn't in the know. However, he was he one facing the biggest one named, etc... I think mainly because yes as head of your department you should darned well know where your deputies are and so on and it is on you too as department head. I do find it extremely hard to believe he didn't have a hint as to what was going on. In corrupt little counties, all in the courthouse, etc. know. Believe me, I've seen it, not personally seen, just hear all the ones that work there talk, slip, etc. about it.

I lean mostly also to the falling out amongst thieves kind of thing although the other talk is possible too but maybe a couple of them could even play in.

In Banfield's thing above, it was said a handful of unnamed higher ups, but Stines was named in the case. Why are the higher ups not named? I think that is SO wrong.

Yeah I think it frustrates all, I am guessing, I know it does me, as we don't have enough of the why yet.

 

[Guess Who]

That's crazy that they were such good friend and then the sheriff murdered him like that. I have to think there's something going on with the sheriff's daughter, like the rumors speculate. Either the judge was inappropriate, or the sheriff thought something was inappropriate. We'll find out!

And what exactly the perceived "inappropriate" was.

 

[GrandmaBear]

IF indeed it was even about the daughter. That's rumored but some of the family came out and staunchly denied it. Could be, may not be.

If both were dirty and one wondered due to things happening if the other turned on them, the exchanging of the phones could have been something on the order of did YOU rat me out, prove it, you can look at my phone, let me look at yours and he saw the judge had or something on that order too. The case going on is something talked of too and he'd just had a deposition (sheriff). Where does it even come from about the daughter? To my knowledge, it certainly isn't a confirmed fact. However, I can believe it could be the case and someone knew and leaked, and if not, where did that rumor even stem from?? Originally? Anyone know?

 

[Tresir]

IF indeed it was even about the daughter. That's rumored but some of the family came out and staunchly denied it. Could be, may not be.

If both were dirty and one wondered due to things happening if the other turned on them, the exchanging of the phones could have been something on the order of did YOU rat me out, prove it, you can look at my phone, let me look at yours and he saw the judge had or something on that order too. The case going on is something talked of too and he'd just had a deposition (sheriff). Where does it even come from about the daughter? To my knowledge, it certainly isn't a confirmed fact. However, I can believe it could be the case and someone knew and leaked, and if not, where did that rumor even stem from?? Originally? Anyone know?

I don't think it is anything to do with the daughter. Didn't the wife chuck him out the day before and that was why he was not in his uniform that day. I think that is why he wanted to call his daughter and why she wouldn't answer her father when he called from his phone but when the judge called the sheriff's daughter from his phone, she answered.

That prompted the shooting of the judge. There was something between the two of them that the sheriff did not want the judge to blab about IMO.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I don't think it is anything to do with the daughter. Didn't the wife chuck him out the day before and that was why he was not in his uniform that day. I think that is why he wanted to call his daughter and why she wouldn't answer her father when he called from his phone but when the judge called the sheriff's daughter from his phone, she answered.

That prompted the shooting of the judge. There was something between the two of them that the sheriff did not want the judge to blab about IMO.

That's what seems to be thought, it was when he called daughter, she answered, but it has also been surmised the judge was protecting wife and daughter and trying to help with like a domestic abuse situation. Maybe it is as simple as wife and daughter wanted to be away from him and he couldn't reach them, then judge did. But no judge should not be just not turning him in either.

I don't know. Not sold on anything yet but I lean to it had to do with corruption and one turning on the other or one thinking the other hung him out to dry, etc. and he was dealing with it all...

First rumors out there were daughter... Imo either this is a very sealed investigation or there is still scrambling and cover up going on in a corrupt bunch.

I think it comes down to three or four likely theories, can't recall all right now, probably going to be going down for count again. I think some tidbits are likely true but as to what they mean, hard to say. I will say this, if we lived in that county, we'd probably know as it is probably quietly being said....