Former Kentucky Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines is expected to be arraigned on a murder charge on Monday in the same courthouse where he allegedly shot and killed a district judge.
Stines, 43, was indicted on a charge of murder of a public official, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman and Commonwealth’s Attorney Jackie Steele announced on Thursday. Stines is accused of fatally shooting 54-year-old District Judge Kevin Mullins inside the Letcher County Courthouse on September 19. Stines retired as sheriff on September 30.
He previously pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge.
Stines last appeared in court on October 1 for a preliminary hearing. The proceeding was held at the Morgan County Judicial Center, which is about 100 miles away from the Letcher County Courthouse.
At the preliminary hearing on October 1, lawyers for Stines argued that Stines was experiencing an “extreme emotional disturbance” at the time of the shooting. They said Stines should be charged with first-degree manslaughter instead of first degree murder.
“I think they’ve established probable cause for manslaughter first, but not murder,” defense attorney Jeremy Bartley said.
Kentucky State Police Detective Clayton Stamper testified during the proceeding and revealed new details about the events leading up to the fatal shooting. He said Stines and Mullins went out to lunch together along with several others earlier that day.
“I was told that Judge made a statement to Mickey about, ‘Do we need to meet private in my chambers?’ That’s all I was told,” Stamper said.
He also said he was told by other officers that Stines tried to call his daughter from inside Mullins’ chambers. He then borrowed Mullins’ phone and tried to call her again.
Surveillance footage of the shooting was played in the courtroom during the hearing on October 1. Stines looked away as the video was played.
Stamper said that Stines told officers, “they’re trying to kidnap my wife and kid,” as he was taken into custody.
Billy Jones was sworn in as Letcher County sheriff last month.
Mullins was a judge in the 47th Judicial District. He was first appointed in 2009 by former Governor Steve Beshear. He was elected to the position the following year.
The local community gathered to mourn Mullins on September 22.
“His passion for people was his magic touch. He can’t begin to count the number of lives that he saved or improved,” state Supreme Court Judge Debra Lambert said at the funeral. “Our court family aches at his loss.”
Stines could face the death penalty if convicted.
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