(ProsperNews.net) – During a recent hearing in Kentucky, surveillance footage showing the fatal shooting of District Judge Kevin Mullins in his courthouse chambers was presented, leaving spectators in shock. The video, shown in a Morgan County courtroom, depicted former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines in the moments leading up to the shooting. Stines, who turned himself in after the incident, is accused of shooting Mullins eight times on September 19 in Whitesburg. He has pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder charge.
Kentucky State Police Detective Clayton Stamper testified that the surveillance video showed Stines making multiple calls on his phone before using the judge’s phone to make another call. The calls were reportedly to Stines’ daughter, though the specifics of why these calls were made remain unclear. The phones involved in the case have been sent for forensic examination, and investigators are waiting for the results. There is some uncertainty regarding whether Stines’ daughter’s phone number was saved in the judge’s phone, with forensic reports expected to clarify this in the coming weeks.
Stines and Mullins had been long-time friends, which makes the shooting all the more puzzling. According to reports, just hours before the incident, the two had lunch together at a local restaurant where they seemed to be on good terms. Restaurant staff reported no signs of tension between the men, adding that they ordered their usual meals of chicken wings and salad.
A woman employed by the Letcher County Sheriff’s Office also turned her phone over to investigators, as she reportedly received text messages from Stines discussing events that transpired at lunch, which may provide insights into the motive behind the shooting.
Under cross-examination, Detective Stamper noted that Stines allegedly made a comment after his arrest about someone trying to “kidnap” his wife and child. This statement raises further questions about Stines’ mental state at the time of the shooting. His defense attorney has argued that the murder charge should be reduced to manslaughter, claiming the shooting was a result of “extreme emotional disturbance” rather than premeditation.
The case will now be reviewed by a grand jury, with court documents indicating that probable cause for the charges was established during the hearing.
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