Court system in Kentucky county to remain closed a week in wake of judge’s homicide

The court system in a Kentucky county shaken by the shooting of a district judge will remain closed until next week, according to the circuit clerk.

Mike Watts, circuit clerk in Letcher County, made the announcement in a Facebook post Monday morning.

Watts said state Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter had notified him of the decision.

Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines is charged with killing District Judge Kevin Mullins in Mullins’ office in the county courthouse on Sept. 19.

Police said there was a short “personal” argument between the two before Stines, 43, allegedly shot Mullins, 54, multiple times.

Police have not released information on the subject of the argument.

Stines surrendered immediately after the shooting.

Watts said court appearances scheduled this week will be rescheduled.

“Please PRAY for the families and friends affected. Also PLEASE PRAY for healing for our county,” Watts said in his post.

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