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

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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 www.themountaineagle.com
 
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Not saying AI is correct, BUT, here's some AI information to peruse....

If a local law enforcement entity in Kentucky is corrupt, criminal allegations are typically investigated by state or federal authorities rather than the local department itself.

State-Level Investigators
    • Kentucky Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI): The DCI has a specific Public Integrity/Special Investigations Branch that investigates criminal misconduct, abuse of public trust, and systemic law enforcement corruption involving state and local public officials. [1, 2]
    • Kentucky State Police (KSP): KSP often steps in to conduct independent criminal investigations of local police officers or county sheriff deputies when misconduct or criminal acts are reported. [1, 2]

Federal-Level Investigators
    • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): If the corruption involves violations of federal law, such as civil rights deprivations (e.g., excessive force or false arrests) or extortion and bribery under color of official right, the FBI has primary jurisdiction to investigate. Federal investigations are conducted in cooperation with the local U.S. Attorney's Office.
 
Kimster said:
Not saying AI is correct, BUT, here's some AI information to peruse....

If a local law enforcement entity in Kentucky is corrupt, criminal allegations are typically investigated by state or federal authorities rather than the local department itself.

State-Level Investigators
    • Kentucky Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI): The DCI has a specific Public Integrity/Special Investigations Branch that investigates criminal misconduct, abuse of public trust, and systemic law enforcement corruption involving state and local public officials. [1, 2]
    • Kentucky State Police (KSP): KSP often steps in to conduct independent criminal investigations of local police officers or county sheriff deputies when misconduct or criminal acts are reported. [1, 2]

Federal-Level Investigators
    • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): If the corruption involves violations of federal law, such as civil rights deprivations (e.g., excessive force or false arrests) or extortion and bribery under color of official right, the FBI has primary jurisdiction to investigate. Federal investigations are conducted in cooperation with the local U.S. Attorney's Office.
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I think this is generally a good assessment. Do we have this here? Keep in mind the previous deputy issue was prosecuted at the state level and a civil suit (federal) was filed and I think is still pending. Should the FBI/DOJ get involved? I think they should be looking at it for sure and I would be surprised if they are not reviewing it.
 
Prairiewind said:
I think this is generally a good assessment. Do we have this here? Keep in mind the previous deputy issue was prosecuted at the state level and a civil suit (federal) was filed and I think is still pending. Should the FBI/DOJ get involved? I think they should be looking at it for sure and I would be surprised if they are not reviewing it.
Click to expand...
I used the Google AI, if that’s what you meant?

Yeah, because this was such a drastic situation, I’m sure the FBI is aware of it someway!
 

Defense for former Letcher County sheriff appeals order for second mental evaluation​

Attorneys for former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines have appealed a court order requiring a second mental evaluation.

The Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center conducted a mental evaluation of Stines in March 2025 after his attorneys indicated they planned to pursue an insanity defense. The defense has argued that Stines was experiencing an extreme emotional disturbance leading up to and during the alleged shooting.

The commonwealth has sought a second mental evaluation since September 2025. Defense attorneys argued Kentucky law provides for “a” mental health examination and does not require multiple evaluations. Prosecutors countered that state law does not explicitly limit the number of examinations that may be conducted.

According to an appeal filed Sept. 25, defense attorneys argue prosecutors are dissatisfied with the findings of the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center and are seeking a second evaluation from an Indiana-based doctor.

The defense also argued that Stines has shown no signs of incompetence to stand trial since the shooting and should not be required to undergo additional testing.
 

Former sheriff accused of killing judge wins pause on second mental health evaluation​


The Kentucky Court of Appeals granted a stay that puts a pause on the Letcher County Circuit Court’s order, which would have seen former sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines undergo the additional evaluation.

A trial date has yet to be set for Stines’ case, and a litany of motions and attorney disagreements has slowed the process. The defense and prosecution have been at odds over a number of topics, including where to hold the trial, the matter of bail for Stines, an attempt to have the presiding judge recuse himself and the Commonwealth’s pursuit of a second mental health evaluation.

Some of those matters have been resolved. Judge Christopher Cohron denied a motion seeking his recusal, which was upheld by the state’s highest court. In June, Cohron granted a motion for a change of venue in order to seat an impartial jury. However, the matter of the second mental health evaluation has persisted.

Stines previously underwent a mental health evaluation with the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center (KCPC). Prosecutors have pushed for Stines to undergo an additional mental health examination, which his defense has formally opposed.

 

Appeals court upholds no-bond order for former Letcher County sheriff​

The Kentucky Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court’s decision to keep former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines jailed without bond while his murder case moves through the court system.

At a June 5 hearing, Judge Christopher Cohron ordered that Stines be held without bond pending the resolution of the case.


In denying bond, the circuit court cited video evidence of the shooting and found the evidence against Stines was strong enough to justify holding him without bail.

Stines’ attorneys appealed the ruling in August and asked the Kentucky Court of Appeals to review the decision.

However, in an order filed Oct. 15, the appellate court upheld the bond denial after reviewing the applicable law, court records, and arguments presented in the appeal.

Stines has remained in custody without bond since his arrest.
 
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