A grand jury in rural Kentucky has indicted Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines for the murder of District Judge Kevin Mullins in his chambers during a heated exchange. Stines, 43, was caught on surveillance footage pulling out a gun and firing eight rounds at Mullins, who died in the chambers where he served for 15 years. The charge of murder of a public official could potentially result in Stines being sentenced to death if convicted. The men, who were friends for 30 years, had lunch together just hours before the tragic incident at the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg on September 19.
The surveillance footage showed Mullins raising his hands in fear and trying to turn away as Stines fired shots at him. The judge was hiding under his desk when Stines approached him and allegedly shot him twice at close range before leaving the chambers. Additional footage not shown in court captured the sheriff making multiple calls to his daughter using his and Mullins’ phones just before the shooting. This detail was confirmed by Kentucky Detective Clayton Stamper, who also mentioned that Stines’ daughter’s phone number was saved in the judge’s phone. The shocking nature of the events leading up to the murder raised questions about the motive behind Stines’ actions.
Following the shooting, Stines surrendered to authorities and expressed concerns about the safety of his wife and child. While a clear motive for the murder has not been established, defense attorney Jeremy Bartley described the crime as a result of a crime of passion fueled by an “extreme emotional disturbance.” Despite suggestions by authorities of a possible sex scandal being investigated in relation to the murder, details surrounding the motive remain unclear. Stines retired from his position less than two weeks after the incident and has been held at Leslie County Jail since then. He is expected to be arraigned on Monday to face the murder charge.
The indictment of Stines for the murder of Mullins has caused shock and disbelief in the small rural community where the tragic incident occurred. The two men were known to be longtime friends, having known each other for over three decades, which makes the circumstances of the murder even more perplexing. The violence and brutality of the attack, captured on surveillance footage, have left many in the community grappling with the loss of their respected judge and the downfall of their former sheriff. As legal proceedings continue, residents of Letcher County are left to ponder the motives behind the murder and come to terms with the shocking events that have unfolded in their midst.
The grand jury’s decision to indict Stines for the murder of Judge Mullins has raised questions about the nature of the relationship between the two men and the events leading up to the fatal shooting. The footage of Stines firing shots at Mullins in his chambers has sent shockwaves through the community and sparked concerns about the safety and well-being of public officials in the area. As Stines faces the possibility of the death penalty, the legal process will continue to unfold, shedding light on the motivations behind the tragic incident and seeking justice for the loss of a respected judge. The impact of the murder on the community and those involved will be felt for years to come as they grapple with the aftermath of the senseless act of violence.
