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

 

[Prairiewind]

I hope the FBI is investigating.

I haven't heard anything about a federal investigation.

 

[Cousin Dupree]

I haven't heard anything about a federal investigation.

I don't think they'd announce it.

 

[Prairiewind]

I don't think they'd announce it.

It would have to be something that the Feds have jurisdiction over, so something like a major corruption situation, RICO perhaps. Possible I suppose. It seems that many in Letcher County believed there was major corruption going on with the "sex ring" etc.

 

[Kimster]

It would have to be something that the Feds have jurisdiction over, so something like a major corruption situation, RICO perhaps. Possible I suppose. It seems that many in Letcher County believed there was major corruption going on with the "sex ring" etc.

I think that's why Cuz would like to see the FBI involved - to make sure another agency is looking into corruption.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Change of venue granted, bail denied in Mickey Stines case

A trial date is expected to be set once a location for it is determined.

www.wymt.com

Change of venue granted, bail denied in Mickey Stines case​

Some rulings were handed down Tuesday in the case against former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines.

Stines was arrested in September, 2024 and charged with murder after he entered District Judge Kevin Mullins’ chambers and shot him multiple times. Mullins died at the scene and the shooting was caught on video.

Special Judge Christopher Cohron granted a change of venue in the case. The court found a fair trial could not be held in Letcher County or an adjacent county.

The parties have 15 days to file their request for the location of the trial and their reasoning.

The judge also denied a motion to set bail, saying “the proof of guilt is evident and the presumption of guilt is great in this matter.”

The Court ordered Stines be held without bail pending the outcome of the case.

The Commonwealth’s motion for an additional mental health examination was also granted. The defendant’s request to have their examining doctor present for the evaluation was also granted.

Once the location for the trial is finalized and the date of the additional mental health examination is set, the Court will enter a scheduling order for any additional pretrial motions to be held, as well as a trial date.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Stines to appeal judge’s ruling denying bond - Mountain Top Media

WHITESBURG, Ky. — The former sheriff charged with murder for the shooting death of a judge is taking his plea for bond to a higher court. Former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Mickey Stines is charged in the Sept. 19, 2024, shooting death of Letcher District Judge Kevin Mullins, who was killed...

mountain-topmedia.com

Stines to appeal judge’s ruling denying bond​

The former sheriff charged with murder for the shooting death of a judge is taking his plea for bond to a higher court.

Under Kentucky law, defendants charged with a capital crime are not automatically eligible for bail and can be held pending trial if the proof they committed the charged offense is evident and the presumption of guilt is great. Prosecutors have said that burden was met by courthouse security video that captured the shooting.

Stines’ attorneys pointed out that her testimony provided evidence of extreme emotional disturbance, which could result in a finding that he is guilty of manslaughter, which is not a capital crime, instead of murder. They argued that since there was a reasonable chance a jury could find him guilty of the lesser charge, he should be eligible for bond.


Special Judge Christopher Conroy disagreed in an order issued Aug. 11 ruling that Stines would be held without bond pending the outcome of his case.

On Friday, Stines’ attorneys filed notice that they intend to file for an expedited appeal of that decision to the Kentucky Court of Appeals.

No record of the appeal is yet available on the Court of Appeals website.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

State, defense propose different counties for Mickey Stines trial

Attorneys for Stines oppose moving his trial, while prosecutors argue it should be held in a western Kentucky county.

spectrumnews1.com

State, defense propose different counties for Mickey Stines trial​

Attorneys for former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines say they oppose a change of venue for their client. On Aug. 11, Special Judge Christopher Cohron ordered a change of venue in the case.

Stines is accused of killing District Judge Kevin Mullins at the county courthouse in 2024. His legal team says publicity surrounding the case has been seen across the state, and moving it out of Letcher County would not make a difference. They believe voir dire — the legal process of questioning potential jurors about bias — is the only way to seat a jury, no matter where the trial is held.

The defense, while reiterating its objection to moving the case, said it would suggest the trial be held in a county adjacent to Letcher County: Pike, Knott, Perry and Harlan counties. The defense prefers Pike County over the others because it is the “third largest county in the state by land mass” and has 55,000 residents.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, in its response to the proposed venue sites, said a fair trial could not be held in Letcher County or any of the adjacent counties. The state is proposing Stines’ trial be held in Christian, Daviess or Warren counties.

Citing television coverage, the Commonwealth said holding the trial in one of those counties is preferable because those markets “have likely not been inundated with news about the case.” The counties suggested by the state are covered by the Nashville, Evansville, Ind., and Bowling Green media markets. The counties the defense wants for the trial are covered by the Lexington, Knoxville, Tenn., and Charleston-Huntington, W.Va., television markets.

The Commonwealth also said the three counties it is proposing have larger populations and larger pools of potential jurors. After a judge decides on a venue for the trial, a trial date will be set.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Strange that it's the defense saying they don't want a venue change, no?

 

[Cousin Dupree]

Strange that it's the defense saying they don't want a venue change, no?

Does it really matter? He's on film doing it.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Does it really matter? He's on film doing it.

I think it's going to be similar to the Clancy trial. Not necessarily "did he do it". But was he "sane" at the time he did it.