letcher county judge was killed by sheriff
- Aug 24
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 19
Crime & Courts — Letcher County, KY
Judge Kevin Mullins Shot Dead in Courthouse: What’s Known vs. What’s Alleged
Whitesburg, Kentucky · September 19, 2024 · Updated August 24, 2025
No sugar-coating. Verified facts are labeled. Allegations are labeled as allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent.
The Short Version (TL;DR)
Victim: District Judge Kevin R. Mullins, 54.
Accused: Former Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 43, charged with first-degree murder of a public official; has pleaded not guilty.
What’s been reported: Security footage from chambers exists; Stines surrendered on scene. No public motive established as of this update.
Where it happened: Whitesburg, KY. Map by Seth Ilys (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia).
What We Can Verify
On Sept. 19, 2024, Judge Mullins was shot inside his chambers at the Letcher County Courthouse. Former Sheriff Mickey Stines was arrested at the scene and charged with murder of a public official. Investigators have not released a public motive; hearings since then have focused on bond and pre-trial motions.
Allegations vs. Official Records
After the killing, multiple outlets amplified allegations that Judge Mullins abused his position for “sex-for-favors” schemes. Some former inmates and a former jailer made claims on TV and social media. Important: these remain allegations—no criminal charges were ever filed against Mullins.
The Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has said it has no record of formal complaints against Mullins. Separate prosecutions involving a former deputy drew scrutiny to the courthouse environment, but that is distinct from any charge against Mullins himself.
Why It Matters
Institutional trust: A sheriff accused of killing a sitting judge is almost unheard of. The community deserves clean facts over rumor.
Due process: Stines is presumed innocent. Allegations about Mullins should rise or fall on documented evidence.
Community impact: Courts paused, families grieving, and a small town trying to steady itself.
What’s Next in Court
As of Aug. 24, 2025, hearings have addressed bond and other pre-trial motions. Prosecutors have not publicly stated a motive; defense filings indicate potential mental-state arguments. A trial date had not been publicly set at last check.
Editor’s note: We’ll update if official filings, rulings, or evidence change the record.
Sources & Further Reading
WYMT coverage (chambers video & hearings): WYMT · WYMT update
LEX18 report on allegations & AOC statement: LEX18
WAVE3 on motions & indictment posture: WAVE3
Background summary: Wikipedia
Legal disclaimer: All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Allegations remain unproven unless substantiated in official proceedings.
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