A judge was shot and killed Thursday afternoon in his courthouse chambers in Whitesburg and the Letcher County sheriff has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Letcher District Judge Kevin D. Mullins was shot and killed by Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines, 43, of McRoberts. The shooting occurred in the judge’s chambers about 3 p.m.
Stines allegedly walked into the judge’s outer office, told court employees and others gathered he needed to speak with Mullins alone. The two then went into the inner office, closed the door and those outside heard shots following a short argument. Stines walked out with his hands up and surrendered without incident to police. He was handcuffed in the foyer of the courthouse, The Mountain Eagle reported.
Mullins was the judge for the 47th District County in Letcher County and was first elected in 2010. Stines has been the sheriff since 2019. From September 1996 to February 1999, Mullins worked for Covington law firm Greenbaum, Doll and McDonald performng workers’ compensation litigation, according to his online resume.
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman’s office posted on social media they would assist as a special prosecutor in the case.
Several area schools were briefly placed on lockdown, including Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College and Letcher County Schools.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurence VanMeter issued the following statement on behalf of the courts:
I have been informed that Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins was tragically killed this afternoon in the Letcher County Courthouse. I am shocked by this act of violence, and the court system is shaken by this news.
My prayers are with his family and the Letcher County community as they try to process and mourn this tragic loss. I ask for respect and privacy on their behalf.
We will continue to monitor this situation. Out of respect for the ongoing investigation, we are unable to share further details. We are committed to supporting law enforcement in their efforts and will avoid any actions that could impede their important work. Our priority at this time is the well-being and safety of the Kentucky Court of Justice family.
Kentucky Today and Staff report
I am deeply wounded by this tragedy. Judge Mullins did not deserve to die this way. I’m so upset by this entire event I can’t even express my anguish. Pray for us all..
Just to show if a cop is willing to shoot a judge over Anything , what chance does anyone in the public have , more so when a cop finds a dislike for someone whom they find disfavor with. The police think they know the law and more so do not care if they break the law . It is time we the people revolt and demand a change in who is hired to enforce laws. A minimum of a four year degree should be required. The Chief of every dept should be held responsible for any misconduct of officers more so if repeated. Enough is Enough
Your words come straight out of a Marxist playbook to create tension and discord.
Your call to revolt is not helpful, it is tribal and divisive.
Something crooked backfired. I served 14 years as a Justice of the Peace working per diem in 5 district courts. I never took a bribe but was offered weekly.