Eastern KY sheriff charged with murder will appear in court this week, officials say

An Eastern Kentucky sheriff charged with the murder of a district judge will appear in court this week, according to Attorney General Russell Coleman.

Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines will be arraigned in Letcher County District Court on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 11 a.m., Coleman said in a post on X. Stines will appear virtually before Chief Regional Judge Rupert Wilhoit, court documents show.

A special court clerk, Larry D. Thompson, of Carter County, was also appointed by Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter.

“Together with Commonwealth’s Attorney Jackie Steele, we will continue to pursue justice,” Coleman said.

Stines is charged with killing District Judge Kevin Mullins in Mullins’ office in the county courthouse on Sept. 19.

Police said there was a short “personal” argument between the two before Stines, 43, allegedly shot Mullins, 54, multiple times.

Police have not released information on the subject of the argument.

Stines surrendered immediately after the shooting.

This story was originally published September 23, 2024 at 12:05 PM.

Taylor Six

Lexington Herald-Leader

Taylor Six is the criminal justice reporter at the Herald-Leader. She was born and raised in Lexington attending Lafayette High School. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 2018 with a degree in journalism. She previously worked as the government reporter for the Richmond Register.