On the tragic day of September 19, an unfortunate incident occurred at the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg, Kentucky, where Judge Kevin Mullins was fatally shot while sitting at his desk in his chambers. The shooter, identified as then-Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, reportedly entered the room and shot the judge multiple times, leading to his death.
This distressing event was captured by security cameras and the footage was subsequently displayed during a preliminary hearing at the same courthouse. The recording reveals Judge Mullins in his chair, hands raised seemingly in an attempt to negotiate with Stines, who is seen a few feet away with a handgun by his side.
The situation escalated quickly as Stines directed the weapon towards Judge Mullins, causing the judge to turn away in fear. Following this, Stines is seen firing several rounds, moving around the desk as he continues to shoot the judge who by then had fallen to the floor.
The visual evidence from the security footage strongly challenges Stines’ claim of innocence, despite his plea of not guilty. Stines was relieved of his duties as the Letcher County Sheriff, which was an expected outcome considering the gravity of the offenses he is facing.
Further investigations into the case pointed towards a potential motive related to personal grievances between Stines and Mullins. It was suggested that the conflict arose after Stines found his daughter’s contact number on Mullins’ phone and verified that a call had been made to her from it prior to the shooting.
Following the incident, Stines turned himself in to the authorities and was officially charged with the murder of Judge Mullins. As the legal proceedings continue, the footage from the courthouse security cameras stands as pivotal evidence in the case, playing a crucial role in the judgment of Stines’ actions and his future.
