Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear’s general counsel has ordered Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines to resign by the end of the week or face removal proceedings. Stines, who has pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder in the shooting of District Judge Kevin Mullins, has 20 days to prepare a defense under state law. If he does not resign, Governor Beshear may fire him for neglect.
The shooting of Judge Mullins occurred after an argument inside the Letcher County courthouse. Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive for the shooting. Three days before the incident, Stines was deposed in connection with a federal lawsuit accusing him of failing to properly train and supervise a deputy accused of abuse. Stines’ lawyer argued that he was protected from being sued due to his position as an elected official and law enforcement officer.
The Letcher County Sheriff’s Office and Judge/Executive Terry Adams have not yet commented on the situation. Stines’ lawyer in the federal lawsuit did not respond to a request for comment. Kentucky State Police have stated that they are not ruling out any motives for the shooting and are investigating the possible connection between the lawsuit and the incident. Stines’ lawyer stated that he has no additional information beyond what has been reported in the news.
The possibility of Stines being fired by Governor Beshear under state law adds to the legal complexities of his situation. With a charge of first-degree murder hanging over his head, Stines must now also contend with the threat of being removed from his position as sheriff. The aftermath of Judge Mullins’ tragic death continues to unfold as authorities work to establish a clearer understanding of the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
The shooting at the Letcher County courthouse has left the community in shock and mourning for Judge Mullins. As the investigation into the incident progresses, more details may emerge about the events that unfolded that day. The potential link between the federal lawsuit and the shooting adds another layer of complexity to the case. Stines’ lawyer, Jonathan Shaw, remains focused on understanding the circumstances surrounding Judge Mullins’ death.
The legal proceedings surrounding Sheriff Stines’ case are likely to be closely watched by the community and legal experts alike. The combination of a murder charge, potential removal from office, and allegations of misconduct by a deputy under his supervision make Stines’ situation particularly complex. The outcome of Governor Beshear’s decision on whether to remove Stines will have far-reaching implications for the law enforcement community in Kentucky. As the case continues to unfold, more information may come to light regarding the events leading up to the tragic shooting at the Letcher County courthouse.
