Letcher County names new sheriff after Stines retires amid ' legal process'

UPDATE: Oct. 1 at 1:45 p.m.

After Mickey Stines retired from his position as Letcher County Sheriff, a new sheriff of the county has officially been appointed.

A post from the Letcher County Judge Executive's Office detailed that Billy Jones took the Oath of Office and was named the Letcher County Sheriff on Oct. 1.

UPDATE: Sept. 30 at 3 p.m.

In a press release from The Law Office of Jeremy A. Bartley, Shawn "Mickey" Stines, who is charged with the murder of Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins, effected "his retirement" as of Monday.

"This decision is made, not as a result of any ultimatum or in any way as a concession to any allegations made by the Commonwealth of Kentucky," the release read.

Read the full release below.

UPDATE: Sept. 25 at 11:15 a.m.

A preliminary hearing for Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines has been scheduled for Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. following his arraignment on Wednesday, according to LEX 18 staff in court.

Stines is accused of killing Judge Kevin Mullins on Sept. 19 at the Letcher County Courthouse.

During the arraignment, Stines was reportedly appointed a public defender by the judge for the preliminary hearing.

UPDATE: Sept. 23 at 11:45 a.m.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced that Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines will be arraigned on Sept. 25 at 11:00 a.m. in Letcher County District Court.

According to AG Coleman, Stines will appear virtually before a special judge.

UPDATE: Sept. 21 at 6:01 p.m.

According to his obituary, funeral services for Judge Kevin Mullins are scheduled for Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at Jenkins High School. Visitation is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Born in Pikeville, Mullins served as a district Court Judge for 14 years, and was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 1995. His obituary states that Mullins was appointed to the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health in 2022.

"His colleagues deeply respected him and his loss will be profoundly felt throughout Kentucky’s court system," wrote the obituary.

UPDATE: Sept. 20 at 12:45 p.m.

Following the shooting death of Judge Kevin Mullins in Letcher County, LEX 18 is learning more details about both the judge and Sheriff Shawn M. Stines, who is charged with the murder of Mullins.

Sheriff Stines is 43 years old. He was first elected sheriff in 2018 and reelected in 2022. Prior to being elected sheriff, he served as a bailiff for the Letcher County District Court.

Judge Mullins was 54 years old and had served as a district judge since 2009. He was appointed by then-Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, elected in 2010, and reelected ever since. Before that, he was the Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney for eight years, starting in 2001. He was a graduate of UK and Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville. As a district judge, he handled juvenile cases, misdemeanors, traffic offenses, small claims, arraignments, and cases involving domestic violence.

UPDATE: Sept. 20 at 10:40 a.m.

Jamie Neal, Communications Specialist for the Administrative Office of the Courts, has announced that "a retired judge will fill the vacay once the court reconvenes" in Letcher County following the death of District Judge Kevin Mullins.

Neal stated in a release that "the Letcher County Courthouse is temporarily closed and court operations in the county are on hold."

According to a release, the Judicial Nominating Commission in Letcher County needs four citizen members before the JNC process can begin. The governor will appoint the citizen members.

UPDATE: Sept. 19 at 8:00 p.m.

KSP Trooper Matt Gayheart said in a press conference on Thursday evening that multiple agencies responded to shots fired at the Letcher County Courthouse at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Thursday.

When they arrived, they found 54-year-old Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins from Jackhorn with multiple gunshot wounds. Lifesaving measures were attempted, but Mullins was pronounced dead at the scene.

Trooper Gayheart said that a preliminary investigation alleges that 43-year-old Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines from McRoberts fatally shot Mullins after an argument inside chambers. Gayheart added that the motive was unclear and that no one else was inside the judge's chambers when the incident occurred.

Administrative Office of the Courts

Gayheart said that Stines was taken into custody without incident following the shooting and has been charged with one count of first-degree murder.

Gayheart also said that Stines has been the sheriff for eight years and at this time it is unclear who the interim sheriff will be.

Chief Justice VanMeter released a statement saying in part, “I am shocked by this act of violence, and the court system is shaken by this news.”

The Letcher County Jail also went on to send their prayers to the "wives that are both without their husbands." A post from the jail read, "Take in consideration that both families have a Facebook account. We as a community need to be there for each other during this time."

UPDATE: Sept. 19 at 5:26 p.m.

According to the Mountain Eagle, Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins has died following a Thursday afternoon shooting at the Letcher County Courthouse.

In a post made to Facebook, the newspaper said that officials arrested Sheriff Mickey Stines in connection to the shooting after he surrendered himself to police.

Governor Andy Beshear confirmed Mullins' death via X.

"Sadly, I have been informed that a district judge in Letcher County was shot and killed in his chambers this afternoon," Beshear said. "There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow."

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced via Facebook that following the shooting, the Office of the Attorney General will "collaborate" with the 27th Judicial Circuit Jackie Steele.

"We will fully investigate and pursue justice," Coleman said.

Kentucky Auditor Allison Ball posted to X that she was "praying for Letcher County" and Judge Mullins.

"May God protect this community and all those involved in the shooting," Ball said.

A press release from the Kentucky Court of Justice said that the office was aware of the "tragic incident" that took place in Letcher County.
The release went on to say that the branch is in contact with law enforcement agencies and are "offering (their) full support during this time."

ORIGINAL STORY:

Police responded to the Letcher County Courthouse on a deadly shooting on Thursday and, according to The Mountain Eagle, a sheriff has been arrested in connection to the shooting.

The post detailed that the sheriff, reported as Mickey Stines, allegedly shot District Judge Kevin Mullins in his district office. The Letcher County Coroner confirmed to LEX 18 that the shooting is deadly but did not confirm the name of the victim.

Letcher County Schools in the area were placed in lockdown and Letcher County Central High School reported that students were released after Kentucky State Police guidance.

In addition, the Judicial Branch provided a statement regarding the shooting:

This is a developing story and LEX 18 will have more information as it becomes available.