Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder after shooting Judge Kevin Mullins in his chambers following an argument at the Letcher County Courthouse. Stines surrendered to authorities and is being held in the Leslie County jail. He was deposed days before the shooting in connection with a federal lawsuit alleging one of his deputies sexually abused a woman in Mullins’ chambers. The lawsuit claims Stines failed to adequately supervise the deputy. Cameras were installed in the chambers after the shooting, but it is unclear if it was related to the lawsuit. The community is devastated by the shooting, with many expressing support for Mullins and his family. The case has been transferred to the Kentucky Attorney General and another prosecutor due to personal connections to the victim. The motive for the shooting remains unknown, but the lawsuit sheds light on potential issues at the courthouse. Stines has maintained his innocence, claiming he acted in good faith and with reasonable care. The shooting has shocked the small community, with members expressing sadness over Mullins’ tragic death. The investigation is ongoing to determine the underlying causes of the incident.
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Sheriff from Kentucky facing charges in the fatal shooting of a judge enters a plea of not guilty
