Whitesburg, Kentucky – A community in Letcher County, Kentucky, was left reeling after a tragic incident that led to the death of District Court Judge Kevin Mullins. Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, accused of first-degree murder in Mullins’ death, entered a not guilty plea during his first court appearance. The arraignment took place remotely in Carter County, 100 miles away from the crime scene.
Stines, who remains incarcerated without bond, did not reveal any details about the incident during the arraignment. With prosecutors not presenting any evidence, the motive behind the killing remains a mystery. As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about what transpired in the judge’s chambers moments before the fatal shooting.
A preliminary hearing for the case is set to take place on October 1 in Morgan County. Stines, who was responsible for courthouse security, now faces a first-degree murder charge. As the community copes with the loss of two prominent figures in the local justice system, friends of both the sheriff and the judge expressed shock and disbelief over the tragedy.
The quiet day in court turned chaotic when police received a 911 call reporting shots fired inside the courthouse building. Mullins was found with multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene. The incident has sparked calls for enhanced security measures in the county courthouse.
Amidst the grief and confusion, the community mourns Judge Mullins, who is survived by his wife and two daughters. His obituary highlights his dedication to serving the people from his chambers, where he spent his career up until the tragic incident. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the shooting, in a case that has deeply impacted the small community of Letcher County.