UPDATE: Dec. 11 at 1 p.m.
The special judge has been appointed in the case against Shawn Stines, who was indicted for the murder of Letcher County Judge Kevin Mullins, according to a a document filed by Chief Justice of the Commonwealth Laurance B. VanMeter.
The document reads that the Honorable Christopher T . Cohron, Circuit Judge of the 8th Judicial Circuit, Division 1, has been assigned as the special judge in the case.
Original Story:
According to a press release from the Office of Attorney General Russell Coleman, former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines was indicted on Thursday for murder of a public official.
The indictment states that 43-year-old Stines shot and killed Letcher County District County Judge Kevin Mullins on September 19, 2024.
Kentucky State Police originally responded to the September shooting around 3 p.m., where they found Mullins with multiple gunshot wounds. Stines was later taken into custody.
First elected to the position in 2018, Stines previously served as a bailiff for the Letcher County District Court. Stines later retired from the position following the shooting.
Stines' arraignment is scheduled for November 25.
