Kentucky Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, who is accused of shooting district judge Kevin Mullins dead in his chambers, claims that the killing was not planned and that he was not in his right mind at the time. Stines’ defense attorney, Jeremy Bartley, stated that the highest level of culpability should be manslaughter based on the partial defense of extreme emotional disturbance. A video of the shooting allegedly showed Stines shooting Mullins multiple times before continuing to fire after Mullins fell to the floor. Stines, who was a longtime colleague and friend of the judge, is said to have taken action due to a compelling reason, although the exact motive remains unclear.
Kentucky State Police Detective Clayton Stamper testified that Stines and Mullins had lunch together in a group prior to the shooting, during which Mullins made a statement suggesting a private meeting in his chambers. It was also revealed that Stines attempted to call his daughter on his own phone and then on Judge Mullins’ phone, with Stines’ daughter being found stored in Mullins’ contacts. When asked whether Stines was motivated to shoot Mullins based on what he saw on the judge’s phone, Stamper replied that it was a possibility but not confirmed. Speaking of Stines’ demeanor after the shooting, Stamper mentioned that Stines remained calm and only requested to be treated fairly.
Following Stines’ arrest, he allegedly made claims about his wife and child being in danger of being kidnapped. The shooting in the city of Whitesburg has had a profound impact on the community of Letcher County, where Stines held the position of bailiff in Mullins’ court before becoming sheriff in 2018. Garnard Kincer Jr., a friend of Mullins and former mayor of Jenkins, expressed shock and disbelief over the incident, stating that the community has been effectively immobilized by the tragic event. Stines has since resigned as sheriff and pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder. At a hearing on October 2nd, a judge found sufficient evidence to move forward with the case.
The defense attorney, Bartley, has not provided comment on the case at the time of the press. The legal proceedings surrounding Stines’ case are ongoing, with the defense focusing on the claim that the shooting was not premeditated and that Stines was not in the right state of mind at the time of the incident. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, as Stines is reported to have appeared calm and maintained that he be treated fairly following his arrest. The community of Letcher County continues to grapple with the shock and disbelief caused by the shooting, with many struggling to come to terms with the tragic loss of Judge Mullins. Stines, while no longer serving as sheriff, continues to face first-degree murder charges as the case progresses through the legal system.
In summary, the shooting incident involving Kentucky Sheriff Mickey Stines and District Judge Kevin Mullins has left the community of Letcher County in shock and disbelief. Stines, who has resigned as sheriff and pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges, claims that the killing was not planned and that he was not in his right mind at the time. The defense is focusing on the partial defense of extreme emotional disturbance and aiming for a manslaughter charge. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, with Stines’ calm demeanor after the incident adding to the mystery surrounding the case. The community continues to process the tragedy with Garnard Kincer Jr., a friend of Mullins, expressing the widespread shock and disbelief felt by residents. The legal proceedings are ongoing, with a judge determining that there is sufficient evidence to move forward with the case.
