On Friday, March 6, 2026, WJHL reported that Letcher County Circuit Court Judge Christopher Cohron denied a motion for his recusal from the murder trial of former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines. Stines is accused of fatally shooting District Judge Kevin Mullins in September 2024 and faces charges of first-degree murder and murder of a public official.

The defense filed the motion in December 2025, and the Supreme Court of Kentucky sent the matter back to the Letcher County Circuit Court in January 2026 for a decision. The Supreme Court indicated that if Cohron recused himself, the matter would be concluded; otherwise, Stines’ attorneys could seek further review.

Cohron, in his denial, asserted that he has no bias in the case and that no facts exist to reasonably question his impartiality. He stated, “As I have no personal bias or prejudice concerning a party, and there are no surrounding facts and circumstances upon which an objective observer might reasonably question my impartiality, the Motion is DENIED.”

Stines’ attorneys argued for recusal based on a video showing Cohron and Mullins seated near each other at a Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health meeting a week before Mullins’ death. They argued that Cohron’s disclosure of their proximity for hours before Mullins’ death warranted his recusal.

Cohron acknowledged his and Mullins’ service on the commission and the availability of the September 12, 2024, meeting video online. He noted that while he sat beside Mullins, there was an empty chair between them, and he did not speak when Mullins delivered a report.

Cohron argued that the motion failed to demonstrate facts that would cause a reasonable observer to question his impartiality. He stated that while he and Mullins were colleagues on a professional level, it would not interfere with his duty to uphold the law. He added that judges often know people who may become crime victims through professional practices and organizations, which does not, by itself, create the appearance of partiality.

Cohron also addressed claims that he had rejected the defense’s attempts to unseal a mental health evaluation due to bias. He clarified that his decision to keep the evaluation sealed was based on his interpretation of the law, not bias, which he stated the defense had failed to prove.

 

 

Source: WJHL