Ex-Kentucky sheriff admits killing judge
Former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines acknowledged in newly filed Kentucky court documents that he fatally shot District Judge Kevin Mullins inside the judge’s chambers in Whitesburg as his defense prepares an insanity/extreme-emotional-disturbance strategy. Stines faces first-degree murder and murder-of-a-public-official charges, is held without bond, and a judge recently sealed part of his mental-health evaluation; in a Nov. 12 civil filing responding to the widow’s wrongful-death suit, he also admitted the shooting and described paranoid, psychotic behavior.
📌 Key Facts
- Surveillance video (no audio) shows Stines shooting Judge Mullins at his desk and firing multiple rounds.
- Stines is charged with first-degree murder and murder of a public official and is being held without bond.
- Defense indicates an insanity/extreme emotional disturbance strategy; a judge sealed part of his mental-health evaluation.
- A social worker documented Stines in an "active state of psychosis" shortly after the shooting.
- Stines claimed symptoms consistent with California encephalitis in the days before the shooting, per deposition.
- In a Nov. 12, 2025 civil answer, Stines admitted shooting Mullins and described paranoid, psychotic conduct.
📊 Relevant Data
Prior to shooting Judge Kevin Mullins, Shawn Stines used both his own cell phone and the judge's cell phone to attempt to call his daughter.
Kentucky judge shooting: What was alleged about former Sheriff Shawn Stines' motive? — The Courier-Journal
Three days before the shooting, Shawn Stines gave a deposition in a lawsuit alleging that Deputy Ben Fields sexually assaulted an inmate in Judge Mullins' chambers.
New details about ex-sheriff's motive for killing judge: 'Heat of passion' — Newsweek
Multiple women have come forward alleging that Judge Kevin Mullins participated in a sex-for-favors scheme, with one stating she had sex with him in his chambers and describing local officials treating the lockup like a brothel.
Court docs reveal why ex-KY sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines called daughter before shooting judge Kevin Mullins — FOX 56 News
Letcher County, Kentucky, has a poverty rate of 26.8% among its population of approximately 20,700, with 96.8% of residents being White (Non-Hispanic), compared to the national poverty rate of around 11.5%.
Letcher County, KY — Data USA