Former sheriff's wife and daughter deny any contact with judge he allegedly murdered
Share this @internewscast.com

According to new testimony from a grand jury, a Kentucky judge who was allegedly killed by the local sheriff was not involved with the sheriff’s daughter.

Former Letcher County, Kentucky Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines is accused of shooting and killing former Judge Kevin Mullins of the Kentucky 47th Judicial District on September 19, 2024. The incident occurred after Mullins and Stines had lunch together, officials reported.

Fox News Digital previously obtained footage showing Stines entering Mullins’ office, where he requested the room be cleared so he could have a private conversation with the judge. They spoke for approximately seven minutes before Stines stood up to lock the doors.

The video then shows Mullins handing his phone to Stines, who attempted to make a call that was not answered. Stines can be seen approaching Mullins when, according to police, he fired the weapon at close range. Stines has entered a not guilty plea.

Mickey Stines and Kentucky state trooper Jason Bates

A Kentucky State Police trooper tries to calm Mickey Stines down during questioning.  (Kentucky State Police)

During the grand jury hearing, Stamper noted that neither Stines’ wife nor daughter feared for their safety, and no evidence supported any claim that they had been under duress or kidnapped.

Records indicate Stines was subject to a mental health assessment at the Leslie County Detention Center four days post-incident, revealing he was “still in an active state of psychosis” with “no memory of the recent past.”

The grand jury testimony was briefly made public on Sept. 3 before it was sealed.

Stines’ attorney, Jeremy Bartley, previously responded to online rumors about the phone exchange in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“[Stines] had attempted multiple times to contact his daughter throughout the day, and including the time while he was in chambers, and he tried to contact her from the judge’s phone,” Bartley said. 

Some had speculated that the phone exchange indicated some kind of relationship between the judge and Stines’ daughter, which Bartley said is untrue.

District Judge Kevin Mullins and Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines

District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was allegedly killed by Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines, 43, in the judge’s chambers. (Kentucky Court of Justice; Letcher County Sheriff’s Office)

Stines had been experiencing paranoia that his family was in danger prior to the shooting, which was caused by a civil lawsuit where he was named and deposed.

“Specifically, in the approximate two-week period prior to the incident in the judge’s chambers, pretty much all the witnesses the investigators talked to support what those close to Mickey had said as well,” Bartley said. “And that’s simply this: Mickey had become extremely paranoid. He’d become sleepless, basically wasn’t sleeping. [He] slept little, if at all. He had sort of become withdrawn. And you know, it was of such a concern that his co-workers urged him to go to the doctor, and he ultimately did the day prior to the shooting.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Suspect Keon King charged with murder in death of Philadelphia woman Kada Scott; new details revealed

Philadelphia Tragedy: Keon King Faces Murder Charges in Kada Scott’s Death – Latest Updates Unveiled

PHILADELPHIA — Keon King, the man initially arrested in connection with the…
Largest teachers union teams up with ‘60s radical professor’s namesake org peddling anti-American curriculum

Controversy Erupts as Largest Teachers Union Partners with Controversial ’60s Radical Group on New Curriculum Initiative

This article is part of Fox News Digital’s investigative series, Campus Radicals.…
Strike averted: Musicians' union reaches tentative deal with Broadway league

Musicians’ Union and Broadway League Reach Tentative Agreement, Preventing Strike

NEW YORK — Broadway musicians have successfully brokered a preliminary deal with…
Miami Heat's Terry Rozier, Portland coach Chauncey Billups arrested in FBI probe

FBI Investigation Leads to Arrests of Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier and Portland Coach Chauncey Billups

Charges against Rozier and Billups are tied to two significant cases: one…
Former New York state trooper sentenced to 6 months in prison after faking his own shooting: 'disgraceful'

Ex-New York Trooper Jailed for Six Months Over Fake Shooting Incident: Described as ‘Disgraceful

A former New York state trooper received a six-month jail sentence on…
A Trump supporter wearing an inflatable costume is attacked in moving gif

Shocking Video: Man in Inflatable Trump Costume Assaulted at ‘No Kings’ Protest in Blue State

A man from Massachusetts has been officially charged after reportedly attacking a…
Chilton County dog trainer found guilty in animal cruelty case

Chilton County Dog Trainer Convicted: Shocking Animal Cruelty Case Unveiled

CHILTON COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — A dog training facility owner in Verbena…
Five Points businesses recovering after break-ins

Five Points Businesses Rebound Following Recent Break-Ins

Pattaya Thai is among several businesses in Five Points grappling with the…
Chicago crash: 1 arrested in attempt to hit federal agents in vehicle near Ogden, 26th Street in Little Village, Cicero police say

Chicago Incident: Suspect Arrested in Alleged Vehicle Assault on Federal Agents in Little Village, Cicero

CHICAGO — In a dramatic incident on Chicago’s Southwest Side on Wednesday…
A timeline of US attacks off South America and what Congress has had to say

Exploring the Chronology of U.S. Military Actions off South America: Congressional Insights and Reactions

WASHINGTON (AP) — Over the past two months, President Donald Trump and…
Tropical Storm Melissa is now forecast to become a major hurricane as it trends toward a concerning track

Tropical Storm Melissa Predicted to Intensify into a Major Hurricane, Following a Worrisome Path

Tropical Storm Melissa is slowly making its way across the Caribbean Sea,…
Former mayor stabbed outside blue state business, suspect with multiple arrests charged

Ex-Mayor Stabbed Outside Business in Blue State: Repeat Offender Charged in High-Profile Incident

A former Massachusetts mayor sustained injuries from a stabbing incident outside his…