In a tragic event that stunned a small Appalachian town, Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines was charged with the murder of District Judge Kevin Mullins. According to Kentucky State Police, Stines shot Mullins multiple times following a heated argument inside the courthouse in Whitesburg, a town with around 1,700 residents. The shooting happened in Mullins' chambers, and the 54-year-old judge, who had served for 15 years, was pronounced dead at the scene. Sheriff Stines, 43, surrendered without resistance and was charged with first-degree murder.
The incident has deeply impacted the local community, with prosecutor Matt Butler describing an outpouring of sympathy and recusing himself from the case due to personal connections. "We all know each other here. ... Judge Mullins and I married sisters, and we have children who are first cousins but act like siblings," Butler shared, citing this as one of the reasons for his recusal.
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced that his office would collaborate with a regional commonwealth's attorney to serve as special prosecutors in the case. "We will fully investigate and pursue justice," Coleman assured.
The event has shaken the state's legal community, with Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter expressing shock at the violent act. Governor Andy Beshear also responded, lamenting the increasing violence and calling for "a path to a better tomorrow."
Judge Mullins was known for his work promoting substance abuse recovery programs in the justice system, including Addiction Recovery Care, a peer support service now adopted in 50 counties. He was also a founding member of the Responsive Effort to Support Treatment in Opioid Recovery Efforts Leadership Team.
Following the shooting, nearby schools were briefly placed on lockdown as a precaution. The investigation is ongoing.
Link: AP News
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