A chilling video shown in court on October 1 captured the moment when former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn ‘Mickey’ Stines fatally sh*t District Judge Kevin Mullins in the judge’s chambers after an argument. The silent surveillance footage was presented during a hearing where Stines, who had resigned following the incident, appeared in a jail uniform and handcuffs.
Judge Rupert Wilhoit referred the first-degree m*rder charge to a jury. While Stines’ defense acknowledged that he sh*t Mullins in September, they argued he was experiencing “extreme emotional disturbance” at the time. Stines pleaded not guilty, with defense attorney Jeremy Bartley stating, “I think they’ve established probable cause for manslaughter first, but not m*rder.”
Kentucky State Police Detective Clayton Stamper, who testified at the hearing, said there were no visible signs of tension between the two men after they dined together earlier that day. However, a comment by Mullins about having a private meeting in his chambers seemed to stand out. The prosecution did not present a clear motive but pointed out that an unseen portion of the video shows Stines calling his daughter before asking to see Mullins’ phone.
The surveillance footage, shared on X, depicts Mullins crouching behind his desk as Stines fires multiple shots. After seeing Mullins move, Stines turned back and fired again. In court, Stines looked away as the video played, while sobs filled the gallery. Only 20 seconds of the footage were shown, though it reportedly captured Stines shooting soon after viewing the judge’s phone. According to Stamper, Stines had made a bizarre statement about a k!dnapping plot involving his family when he surrendered.
A special judge was appointed to the case, as Mullins would typically have presided over such hearings in Letcher County. Stines’ resignation was submitted to allow a successor to serve the community while he faces legal proceedings. If convicted of first-degree murder, Stines could face the death penalty.