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Judge Fatally Shot in Chambers by Sheriff
26 Mar
Summary
- Sheriff shot the judge nine times before surrendering.
- Lawsuit involved allegations of sexual favors for preferential treatment.
- Shooting occurred days after sheriff's deposition in a lawsuit.
In September 2024, Kentucky District Court Judge Kevin Mullins was fatally shot in his courthouse chambers by Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines. Stines immediately surrendered to authorities after shooting Mullins nine times. Investigators are exploring whether accusations against another officer precipitated the fatal event.
Details indicate the case originated with a lawsuit against the sheriff's office. This lawsuit was filed by female prisoners who alleged deputy Ben Fields accepted sexual favors for preferential treatment, including lenient GPS monitoring. Stines was called to give a deposition in this lawsuit.
In the weeks prior to his deposition, Stines reportedly experienced significant mental health struggles, including insomnia and paranoia. The deposition occurred on a Monday, and the shooting took place that Thursday. Surveillance footage captured the event, though without audio. Stines' attorneys have requested a hearing to assess his mental state, which could impact potential death penalty sentencing under Kentucky law.
