Friend and colleague ask why after Kentucky sheriff charged with murder of judge

LETCHER CO., Kentucky (WKYT) – It is a tragedy that has shaken the small community in Letcher County.

“Not only did we lose our sheriff and our county judge, but I also lost two personal friends that I worked with on a daily basis,” said Letcher County District Clerk Mike Watts.

Kentucky State Police said Sheriff Mickey Stines, 43, shot and killed District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, in the courthouse on Thursday afternoon. Clerk of the Court Mike Watts said he still can't understand what happened because he saw the two men eating lunch together just hours earlier.

“It's just unimaginable. I don't know what happened. Or what the reason was. I know the Kentucky State Police are investigating the case and I'm confident that hopefully they will provide some answers as to why. Maybe that will help us process the pain. The whole community, we're all just in shock. They were both very well loved.”

Watts said the two worked closely together. Mullins started a program to help inmates with substance abuse disorders, and Stines helped drive those people to appointments and back home. That makes the situation even more difficult for him to comprehend.

“We mountain people are resilient people. We have experienced many tragedies, including a devastating flood in 2022. And now this. It is a tragedy for the entire county.”

Watts and other court employees were in the building when the shooting occurred. He said the chief justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court brought grief counselors to meet with employees on Friday.

“Both bailiffs entered the chambers without hesitation when this incident occurred, not knowing who the shooter was. So we are all struggling. The whole county is devastated by this.”

Stines is expected in court in Carter County via video hearing on Wednesday. A special district judge will preside over the case.

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