Kentucky sheriff accused of killing judge in courthouse chambers

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Court TV/Scripps News Lexington/AP) — A local sheriff is accused of murdering a Kentucky judge Thursday.

Kentucky State Police said Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene, reports Scripps News Lexington . Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 43, has been charged with first-degree murder.

This undated photo provided by Kentucky Court of Justice shows slain District Judge Kevin Mullins. (Kentucky Court of Justice via AP)

KSP Trooper Matt Gayheart said a preliminary investigation alleges Stines shot Mullins after an argument inside chambers. Gayheart added that the motive was unclear, and Stines was taken into custody without incident following the shooting.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said his office will collaborate with a commonwealth’s attorney in the region as special prosecutors in the criminal case.

Mullins served as a district judge in Letcher County since he was appointed by former Gov. Steve Beshear in 2009 and elected the following year, reports the Associated Press .

Mullins was known for promoting substance abuse treatment for people involved in the justice system and helped hundreds of residents enter inpatient residential treatment, according to a program for a drug summit he spoke at in 2022. He also helped develop a program called Addiction Recovery Care to offer peer support services in the courthouse. The program was adopted in at least 50 counties in Kentucky.

Mullins also served as a founding member of the Responsive Effort to Support Treatment in Opioid Recovery Efforts Leadership Team.