Footage of Kentucky Judge’s Assassination Shown in Court as Sheriff’s Homicide Case Advances to Grand Jury

October 3, 2024

Updated: October 3, 2024

WHITESBURG, Ky. — A chilling video depicting the murder of a Kentucky judge in his own office was‍ shown on Tuesday⁣ during the initial⁢ hearing ‌for the ex-sheriff accused of the crime.

Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 43, who officially stepped down from ⁢his ⁢position as sheriff of Letcher County on Monday, was present in court, clad in a jail uniform and ⁤handcuffs. The prosecution⁣ presented their evidence against him in the murder case of District Judge Kevin Mullins.

Judge Rupert Wilhoit found sufficient grounds to forward the first-degree‍ murder ⁣charge to a grand jury.‌ While the defense did not dispute that Stines shot Mullins, 54,⁣ they suggested that ‍Stines ⁣was under ‍an “extreme‍ emotional disturbance” during the incident.

“I believe ‌they’ve established ‌a probable ‍cause for manslaughter first, but not murder,” defense attorney Jeremy Bartley expressed to the judge.

Stines pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder at his arraignment‍ the previous week.

A segment of the surveillance footage ⁣from the judge’s office — which lacks audio —⁣ seems to depict Mullins taking cover behind his desk as Stines fires at him repeatedly. As Stines appears to exit the room, he seems to notice Mullins moving under his desk and discharges several more rounds.

As the footage was shown, Stines averted his gaze from the screen and then cast his eyes downward. Audible sobs and moans could be heard from several individuals on the prosecution’s side of the courtroom.

The video was only shown in court for ‍20 seconds, but the Kentucky State Police stated ‌that the complete ‍recording of their interaction, which was ‍not shown, was significantly longer.

Prior to the shooting, Stines and Mullins had shared a meal with a group at a restaurant, and no ‍witnesses reported any hostility in their conversation, according to Kentucky State Police Det. Clayton Stamper, the sole witness who testified at the hearing. Stamper⁣ mentioned a noteworthy ‌exchange relayed by‍ witnesses at the lunch.

“I was informed that the judge asked ⁣Mickey, ‘Do we need to⁢ meet privately in ⁤my chambers?'” Stamper recounted.

The prosecution did not propose a motive for the shooting, but the detective confirmed that Stines was seen in a portion of the surveillance ⁢footage not shown in court, making a call to his daughter on his own phone, and then requesting to use Mullins’ phone,‍ to which the judge agreed.

The full video reveals⁢ that⁤ Stines stood up and began firing just moments after glancing at ⁣the judge’s phone, Stamper testified.

“I ⁤was informed that Sheriff Stines ⁣had attempted to call his ⁢daughter, and he ‍had also tried to call his⁣ daughter from the judge’s phone,” Stamper said, confirming that phone records showed that Stines’ daughter’s cellphone⁤ had‍ been previously dialed from the judge’s phone.

Stines turned himself in to the authorities immediately following the shooting, Stamper said, and made a puzzling ⁣statement.

“Upon his arrest, I was informed‌ by another officer that he said, ‘They’re trying to kidnap my wife and child,'” Stamper relayed.

Stamper ‌described ⁣Stines as “mostly calm” when he arrived at the scene of the shooting.

“Essentially, ‌all ⁢he said was,⁤ ‘Treat me fairly,'” Stamper recalled.

The hearing on Tuesday was held in West Liberty, Kentucky, nearly⁢ 100 miles from ‌the Letcher County Courthouse‌ where Mullins was murdered.

A special judge was appointed by the state to oversee the case, as Mullins would typically preside over preliminary hearings for crimes allegedly committed in Letcher County.

The hearing occurred a day⁤ after‍ Stines officially resigned as sheriff, ‌as‌ per a letter from his ⁣attorneys obtained by CNN⁣ affiliate WKYT.

“Sheriff Stines has made this decision to allow for a successor to continue to protect his beloved constituents while he⁢ addresses the legal process ahead ⁢of him,” Bartley, the defense attorney, wrote.

Wilhoit‌ informed Stines at his arraignment the previous week that he could face ⁤the death penalty if found guilty of first-degree murder.