On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, the Associated Press reported that a court hearing took place in West Liberty, Kentucky, during which a video showing the fatal shooting of District Judge Kevin Mullins was shown. This video was presented by prosecutors as part of the preliminary hearing for Shawn “Mickey” Stines, the former sheriff of Letcher County, who faces murder charges in connection with Mullins’ death.
The incident occurred on September 19, when Stines allegedly entered Mullins’ chambers and opened fire. The judge, aged 54, had served in his position for 15 years before being pronounced dead at the scene due to multiple gunshot wounds. Stines, 43, surrendered to authorities shortly after the shooting and resigned from his position as sheriff the following day.
During the hearing, the video, which lacked audio, depicted Stines pulling out a firearm and shooting Mullins while the judge was seated at his desk. After the initial shots, the video showed Stines walking around the desk to fire at Mullins again, who had fallen to the floor. The courtroom audience reacted emotionally to the footage, with some individuals seen sobbing as it was played. Throughout the screening, Stines remained stoic and looked downward.
Kentucky State Police Detective Clayton Stamper, who is leading the investigation, testified that Stines had pleaded not guilty to the murder charge last week. He is currently being held in a different county within Kentucky. The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and no details have been released by police regarding any potential reasons behind the violent act.
Stamper noted that there had been a lunch meeting between Mullins and Stines on the day of the shooting, attended by several others at a nearby restaurant. Witnesses reported that during this meeting, Mullins made a remark to Stines regarding whether they needed to meet privately in his chambers. The context of this statement has not been clarified, and it remains part of the ongoing investigation.
Investigators have not found any evidence indicating that the shooting was premeditated. Stamper shared that Stines had used his own phone before borrowing Mullins’ cellphone, reportedly attempting to call his daughter. The judge’s phone was later discovered on his desk, while Stines was found with his own phone during his arrest. Both devices are currently being analyzed by a police forensics lab, although details about their contents have not been disclosed.
The court hearing also touched on a lawsuit involving Stines’ office. The lawsuit was filed by two women, one of whom accused a deputy sheriff of coercing her into sexual acts inside Mullins’ chambers. This deputy had previously been fired by Stines for behavior deemed unbecoming following the allegations. The lawsuit claimed negligence on the part of Stines in failing to properly train and supervise the deputy, who has since pleaded guilty to rape.
As the hearing progressed, it was revealed that investigators found no weapons in Mullins’ chambers at the time of the shooting. There were a few individuals present in a room adjacent to Mullins’ chambers when the gunfire erupted. Stines was taken into custody shortly after the incident.
Detective Stamper described Stines’ demeanor during the arrest as calm, stating that when he spoke to him, Stines did not offer any explanations for his actions. He merely requested to be treated fairly. After reviewing the evidence presented, Judge Rupert Wilhoit III concluded that there was probable cause to believe Stines had committed the crime, thereby allowing the case to be forwarded to a grand jury for possible indictment.
If convicted of murder, Stines faces a potential sentence ranging from 20 years to life in prison. Given that he is accused of killing a public official, he could also be subject to the death penalty.
Source: U.S. News & World Report
