District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was murdered in the Letcher County court building where he works by Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines, 43, in Whitesburg, Ky on September 19, 2024.
Sheriff Stines and Judge Mullins were in the judges chambers having an discussion at 2:55 p.m.
An argument began between the 2 men, and Sheriff Stines is accused of shooting Judge Mullins dead.
The judge was shot several times. 911 was called and Sheriff Stines was arrested on scene and charged with murder.
The court closed after the judge was murdered.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear released the following statement:
“Sadly, I have been informed that a district judge in Letcher County was shot and killed in his chambers this afternoon. There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow.”
Special prosecutors have been assigned to the case. Judge Mullins was elected judge in 2010.
Sheriff Stines was elected sheriff in 2018 and reelected in 2022. The sheriff has been named a defendant in two federal lawsuits as sheriff, including one involving a former sheriff deputy who was accused of sexually abusing an inmate.
A motive for the homicide has not been identified. Watch video of a fight breaking out in court.
