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Judge Upholds Murder Indictment of Ex-Letcher Sheriff, Grants Limited Bond Hearing

The hearing will exclude a sealed psychiatric evaluation pending a ruling on his eligibility for bail.

Overview

  • Special Judge Christopher T. Cohron rejected bids to dismiss the case and to unseal a Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center evaluation, finding the grand jury had probable cause.
  • Security video showing the shooting in Judge Kevin Mullins’ chambers was cited as sufficient evidence supporting the November 2024 indictment.
  • A bond hearing was approved, but the court barred any discussion of the sealed evaluation, emphasizing that a bail hearing is not a trial rehearsal.
  • No date has been set for the bond hearing; Stines remains jailed without bond as the court first determines whether he is legally bailable under Kentucky law.
  • Stines has pleaded not guilty, his lawyers signal insanity or extreme emotional disturbance defenses, venue change and death-penalty decisions remain unresolved, and Mullins’ family has filed a wrongful-death suit.