OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
11:07 AM – Friday, September 20, 2024
A district court judge’s murder is the subject of charges against a Kentucky sheriff.
The shooting occurred at about 2:55 p.m. inside the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg, a city in southeastern Kentucky.
The Letcher County Courthouse reportedly called 9-1-1 a few minutes after 2:55 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, reporting that gunshots had being fired inside the building, according to Kentucky State Police (KSP).
Upon their arrival at the scene, numerous law enforcement agencies and emergency medical services discovered 54-year-old District Judge Kevin Mullins suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
The Mountain Eagle outlet reported that Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines, the shooter, had entered District Judge Kevin Mullins’ outer office and informed the court employees present that he needed to speak with Mullins alone.
Shots were heard not long after the two entered the judge’s chambers. After shooting the judge, Stines turned around, put his hands up, and gave himself over to the police.
According to KSP, attempts were made, but they not successful at saving the judge’s life. Mullins was declared dead at the scene by the coroner’s office for Letcher County.
Stines has now been charged with one count of first-degree murder for taking the life of District Judge Mullins.
Surfacing reports allege that the two men were previously close friends, with one government source reaching out to the press in order to inform the public that Sheriff Stines was told that Judge Mullins had allegedly raped his underage daughter.
Nevertheless, the investigation remains ongoing, and the sexual assault claims have not been confirmed.
Mullins worked for nine and a half years as an assistant commonwealth attorney prior to being nominated by Governor Steve Beshear (D-Ky.) in 2009. He prosecuted mostly drug-related cases during his career. As a judge, Mullins became well-known for his attempts to treat drug addicts rather than imprison them. He initiated a program in 2010 that permits pretrial release for prisoners with substance use disorders if they agree to participate in inpatient treatment.
“Stines was elected as the Sheriff of Letcher County in 2018 and reelected in 2022,” WKYT, a local news outlet, reported.
Attorney General Russell Coleman also revealed on social media that he and Jackie Steele, the Commonwealth’s attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit, will work together as special prosecutors in this case.
At a press conference on Friday morning, September 20th, Democrat Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear discussed the incident in relation to another issue.
“There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow,” the Democrat governor stated.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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