Sheriff Arrested After Allegedly Murdering Judge in His Chambers

A Kentucky sheriff has been arrested for allegedly shooting and killing a local judge.

At a Glance

The sheriff of Letcher County, Kentucky, Mickey Stines, is accused of killing District Judge Kevin Mullins inside the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg, Kentucky.
The incident reportedly occurred following an argument between Stines and Mullins.
Judge Mullins, 54, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sheriff Stines, 43, turned himself in after the alleged shooting and was charged with first-degree murder.
The community is described as small and shaken by the incident.

Details of the Incident

The shocking murder of District Judge Kevin Mullins by Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines has stunned the community of Whitesburg, Kentucky. According to multiple reports, the dispute occurred inside Mullins’ chambers at the Letcher County Courthouse, culminating in Stines allegedly shooting Mullins multiple times.

Footage from the courthouse surveillance shows the sheriff angrily confronting Mullins just before the incident. Stines later surrendered to authorities and has been charged with first-degree murder.

A Kentucky sheriff is charged in the shooting and killing of a judge who was shot and killed in his own courtroom. https://t.co/NenpV9P7Fe

— WFAA (@wfaa) September 20, 2024

Reactions

The community of Letcher County is grappling with the news of this tragedy. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear commented, “There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow.”

“This community is small in nature, and we’re all shook,” Kentucky State Police spokesman Matt Gayheart said in response to the incident.

Mullins, aged 54, was recognized for his efforts in promoting substance abuse treatment programs and supporting addiction recovery. Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter expressed the judiciary’s grief, stating he is “shocked by this act of violence.”

Lawsuit

Just days before the deadly shooting, Stines was reportedly deposed in a lawsuit related to a deputy, Ben Fields who was accused of coercing a woman, Sabrina Adkins, in Mullins’ chambers back in 2021. There was also another plaintiff, Jennifer Hill, who accused Fields of harassing her. Both women alleged Fields harassed or coerced them into relations in exchange for keeping them out of jail.

It is not clear at this point whether the lawsuit or deposition have anything to do with the murder of Mullins.

Legal Proceedings and an Official Response

The lead county prosecutor, Matt Butler, recused himself and his office due to personal ties to Mullins. Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman has announced that his office will collaborate with a commonwealth’s attorney as special prosecutors.

“We will fully investigate and pursue justice” Russell Coleman, state attorney general, said.

Judge Mullins and Sheriff Stines had clear personal and professional disagreements, but the specifics of their argument just before the shooting are still under investigation. The courthouse remains closed as the community navigates the aftermath of this event.