Overview

• District Judge Kevin Mullins was shot and killed in his Letcher County chambers on Sept. 19, 2024, and former Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines is accused in the killing.
• Stines surrendered to police, was charged with murder, and has pleaded not guilty while pursuing an insanity defense.
• A court‑ordered competency evaluation has been completed and filed under seal, and multiple evidentiary motions remain pending.
• Prosecutors have announced they will seek a life sentence if Stines is convicted.
• A related civil suit alleges women in the local court system were sexually exploited, claims some conduct occurred in Mullins’ chambers, Deputy Ben Fields later pleaded guilty to sexual felonies, and Stines was deposed in that case three days before the shooting.