Former sheriff pleads not guilty to killing judge in courthouse shooting
- Former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Mickey Stines was indicted on one count of murder of a public official.
- District Judge Kevin Mullins was shot in his chambers while Stines had a meeting with him that day.
- Community safety concerns led the judge to deny Stines bail, while he could face severe consequences if convicted.
In Kentucky, a former sheriff charged with the murder of a judge has pleaded not guilty. Shawn Mickey Stines was indicted by a grand jury on murder charges following the shooting of District Judge Kevin Mullins in the courthouse on September 19. The indictment and plea occurred as Stines returned to the courthouse where both he and Mullins had worked for years. Mullins, who had served in his judicial role for 15 years, was killed inside his chambers, prompting discussions around safety and the severity of the crime. Stines remains jailed with no bond set, facing the possibility of the death penalty if convicted. The investigators have not disclosed a clear motive for the shooting, which included footage showing Stines attacking Mullins without warning.