A video showing the killing of a Kentucky judge in his chambers was played during a court hearing for the former sheriff charged with the murder. Prosecutors presented the short video clip during the preliminary hearing for Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines. The footage showed the alleged moments when Stines opened fire on 54-year-old District Judge Kevin Mullins on 19 September.
The silent video depicted a man, identified by police as Stines, drawing a gun and shooting the judge at his desk. The man then walked around the desk, pointed the gun at Mullins, who was on the floor, and fired again. The courtroom was filled with palpable emotions, with audible moans and cries.
Mullins succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds, testified Kentucky State Police Detective Clayton Stamper on Tuesday. Stines pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder at his arraignment last week and is detained in another county in Kentucky. Stamper revealed that Stines and Mullins had lunch with a group before the shooting, and no witnesses noticed any anger in their conversation.
Viewer Discretion Advised: Kentucky Judge’s Shooting Sent to Grand Jury as Former Sheriff Faces Murder Charge
Video of the fatal shooting of District Judge Kevin Mullins was played during a preliminary hearing for former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines.
The… pic.twitter.com/Kz4C2WESC1
— Bobby Ellison (@BobbyEllisonKY) October 1, 2024
“The judge made a comment to Mickey about, ‘Do we need to meet privately in my chambers?’” Stamper stated, adding he did not know the context. Stamper mentioned he was not directly aware of any prior relationship between the two but had “heard things” about a lawsuit involving the sheriff’s office.
Stines had been deposed in a lawsuit filed by two women. One woman alleged a deputy sheriff forced her to have sex in Mullins’ chambers for six months to avoid jail time. The lawsuit accused the former sheriff of “deliberate indifference in failing to adequately train and supervise” the deputy.
Several people were in a room next to Mullins’ chambers when the shots were fired. Stines was already in custody upon arriving at the courthouse, Stamper noted. Stamper described Stines as “mostly calm” at the scene. “He basically said, ‘Treat me fair,’” Stamper recounted.
Judge Rupert Wilhoit III concluded that probable cause exists to believe Stines committed the crime, allowing the case to proceed to a grand jury to decide on an indictment. If found guilty of first-degree murder, Stines could face the death penalty.
What Other Media Are Saying
- NPR reports on the tragic shooting of Kentucky Judge Kevin Mullins by Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines, highlighting a complex case with unclear motives and emotional courtroom reactions.(read more)
- Boise State Public Radio reports on the shocking shooting of a Kentucky judge by his longtime friend, the sheriff, after finding his daughter’s number on the judge’s phone, highlighting an extraordinary and rare case of a law officer killing a judge.(read more)
- Video shown in court hearing shows Kentucky sheriff shooting judge. The article details former Sheriff Mickey Stines’ resignation and charges, with a judge finding probable cause for a murder trial after viewing security footage of the killing.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened to the Kentucky judge in his chambers?
Judge Kevin Mullins was shot and killed in his chambers.
Who is charged with the murder of Judge Kevin Mullins?
Ex-Sheriff Shawn ‘Mickey’ Stines is charged with the murder.
What was shown in the video played during the court hearing?
The video showed Stines pulling out a gun and shooting Judge Mullins.
Did Stines plead guilty to the murder charge?
No, Stines entered a not guilty plea to first-degree murder.
What could be the potential penalty if Stines is convicted?
If convicted of first-degree murder, Stines could face the death penalty.
