The Kentucky sheriff accused of fatally shooting a judge in his chambers last week could face the death penalty if convicted, according to a special judge appointed to preside over the case.
Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines, 43, made his first court appearance Wednesday, where he pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges.
Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines is charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a judge.
Leslie County Detention Center
On Thursday, Stines allegedly killed Kentucky District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, inside his chambers in the Letcher County Courthouse, officials said. The shooting allegedly occurred “following an argument inside the courthouse,” according to Kentucky State Police, and investigators are still searching for a motive.
The two had had lunch together the day of the shooting, Letcher County Circuit Clerk Mike Watts told Lexington ABC affiliate WTVQ on Saturday.
Stines did not appear to show emotion during the brief hearing on Wednesday, where he appeared over Zoom wearing a jail uniform alongside his public defender, who entered the not guilty plea on Stines’ behalf.
He is expected back in court on Oct. 1.
Judge Kevin Mullins
Letcher County Government
Mullins was found with multiple gunshot wounds after a 911 caller reported shots being fired inside the courthouse, and Stines was taken into custody without incident at the courthouse, police said.
Officials have not yet determined if Stines used his “duty” weapon in the shooting.
On Monday, just days before the shooting, Stines was deposed in a lawsuit, which alleged he had failed to investigate one of his deputies who sexually abused a woman in Mullins’ chambers.
On Friday, Whitesburg Mayor Tiffany Craft told WTVQ that the community had been “rocked to its core” by the incident.
“You’d never dream that anything like this is ever going to happen in your small town,” she said, noting Mullins and Stines had been seen as “two great pillars of the community.”
Letcher County Courthouse in in Whitesburg, Ky.
Google Maps Street View
Watts told the station he had known both men for decades.
“Both men were my friends, and work family, and I saw them almost daily while we were at work,” Watts said.
In a shocking turn of events, a sheriff in Kentucky has pleaded not guilty to shooting a judge and may now face the death penalty. The incident, which took place in a small town in Kentucky, has left the community reeling and questioning the motives behind such a violent act.
The sheriff, whose name has not been released to the public, allegedly shot the judge during a dispute over a court case. The details of the altercation are still unclear, but witnesses have reported that the sheriff appeared to be agitated and confrontational leading up to the shooting.
The judge, who has also not been identified, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but is expected to survive. The sheriff was immediately taken into custody and charged with attempted murder.
The possibility of the death penalty being on the table for the sheriff has sparked a debate within the community. Some believe that such a severe punishment is warranted given the gravity of the crime, while others argue that there may be underlying mental health issues at play that should be taken into consideration.
Regardless of the outcome of the trial, this incident has shed light on the dangers that can arise when those in positions of power abuse their authority. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency within law enforcement agencies.
As the case unfolds, residents of the small town in Kentucky are left grappling with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence. The community is coming together to support the judge and his family during this difficult time, while also seeking justice for the heinous crime that has been committed.
In the coming weeks and months, all eyes will be on the courtroom as the sheriff’s trial progresses. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for both the individuals involved and the community as a whole. Only time will tell what fate awaits the sheriff who pleaded not guilty to shooting a judge in Kentucky.
