A Kentucky sheriff allegedly gunned down a judge inside of his own chambers – and his lawyer just revealed the shocking reason he did it.
At a glance:
- Kentucky Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines is accused of shooting Judge Kevin Mullins in his chambers, claiming the act was done in a “heat of passion.”
- Defense lawyers argue that the highest charge should be manslaughter due to emotional disturbance.
- A potential motive involves Stines discovering his daughter’s phone number in Mullins’ phone, with police also investigating other leads, including a “sex scandal.”
Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 43, of Whitesburg, Kentucky, is accused of fatally shooting his longtime friend, Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, inside Mullins’ chambers at the Letcher County Courthouse on September 19. Despite video footage showing Stines pointing his weapon at Mullins, who was cowering behind his desk, Stines’ defense attorney, Jeremy Bartley, argues that the shooting was not premeditated, but instead occurred in a “heat of passion.” The defense is pushing for a manslaughter charge based on the partial defense of extreme emotional disturbance.
A key point of the investigation revolves around Stines discovering his daughter’s phone number in Mullins’ phone, which allegedly prompted the violent confrontation. In court, Kentucky State Police Detective Clayton Stamper testified that Stines attempted to call his daughter from both his and Mullins’ phones. Hours before the incident, the two friends had shared lunch together, as they often did, making the subsequent shooting even more shocking to the local community.
Stines was apprehended at the scene after surrendering to officers, hands raised, and has since pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. He also resigned from his position as sheriff.
As police continue their investigation, they are exploring the possibility of a “sex scandal” as a potential motive. One of the lines of inquiry involves a civil lawsuit against Stines, who was accused of failing to properly supervise Deputy Ben Fields, a former officer convicted of raping a woman in Judge Mullins’ chambers.
The case has left the small town of Whitesburg stunned as the community grapples with the brutal killing of a prominent judge at the hands of a once-trusted sheriff.
