Kentucky sheriff accused of shooting judge at courthouse pleads not guilty

WHITESBURG, Ky. (WJHL) – The Kentucky sheriff charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a district judge in his courtroom has pleaded not guilty.

Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Mickey Stines entered his plea during an arraignment Wednesday. Stines has been assigned a public defender for the time being.

He will appear in court again for a preliminary hearing on October 1 at 1 p.m. in Morgan County, Kentucky.

Stines was arrested and charged with first-degree murder following the Sept. 19 shooting of District Judge Kevin Mullins at the Letcher County Courthouse.

Kentucky State Police (KSP) reported that there was an argument between Stines and Mullins prior to the shooting. Mullins was reportedly shot multiple times and died at the scene, officials said.

“We know it was an argument between the two … but exactly what transpired before the shots were fired is something we're still trying to get answers to,” State Trooper Matt Gayheart said during an earlier news conference.

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Nearly a week later, Letcher County residents are still adjusting to the new state of affairs.

Law enforcement in Letcher County and Whitesburg have felt the widespread impact of Stines' arrest and alleged actions. Whitesburg Police Chief Tyrone Fields told Nexstar's WJHL that it wasn't easy after the shooting.

“You know, everyone has problems,” Fields said.

A sign on the Letcher County Sheriff's Office building says it will be closed until Oct. 1. However, Fields said law enforcement is still responding to calls throughout Letcher County. Deputies, KSP troopers and Whitesburg officers continue to respond to emergencies and law enforcement matters.

“We’re still operating 24/7 and that’s why we’re here,” Fields said. “We understand that times are very difficult, but we want to let you know that we are still here, we are still available and we are still here to help you.”

KSP Soldier: The argument preceded the shooting of the judge in the courthouse

Despite his indictment and prison sentence, Stines remains the county's sheriff. District Attorney Jamie Hatton said that because sheriff is an elected position, Kentucky law means Stines will continue to be sheriff unless he resigns or takes other action.

“Even though he is accused of this terrible crime, he is still our sheriff,” Hatton said. “That is why we are working on procedures to determine whether he plans to resign or remain in office. And based on that decision, we need to determine what the next step is if he doesn’t want to resign and how we run our local sheriff’s office.”

Meanwhile, Letcher County Deputy Bill Jones has been named chief deputy and will serve in the sheriff's place. However, if Stines does not resign, the process could result in him being removed from office.

This could require the involvement of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Hatton said.

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Beshear also faces the task of filling Mullins' district judge position.

Hatton said retired Judge Eric Hall, who has experience as a trial judge, will begin hearing cases on Sept. 30 pending an appointment to Mullins' seat.

“There is a judicial nominating commission or committee that will recommend three names to the governor and he will select one name from that list and that will be our district judge until the next election, which I believe will be in 2026,” said Hatton.

State police said several witnesses need to be interviewed as the investigation into the shooting continues.

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