Letcher County Sheriff retires amid murder allegations

LETCHER COUNTY, Ky. (WJHL) — The Letcher County Sheriff has retired amid allegations that he shot and killed a district judge in the county courthouse .

A letter from the Law Office of Jeremy A. Bartley states that Shawn Mickey Stines has “made the difficult decision to effect his retirement as of September 30, 2024.”

Stines has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of district judge Kevin Mullins on Sept. 19. Stines pleaded not guilty to the murder charge on Sept. 25.

“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 letter reads. “Rather, Sheriff Stines has made this decision to allow for a successor to continue to protect his beloved constituents while he addresses the legal process ahead of him.”

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Kentucky General Counsel S. Travis Mayo sent a letter to Stines on Sept. 25 formally asking him to resign.

“Sheriff Shawn Mickey Stines has proudly served the people of Letcher County for over 22 years,” the letter reads. “He expresses his heartfelt appreciation and love for the support this community has given him and his family during his time in service.”

Stines is set to appear for a preliminary hearing in Morgan County, Kentucky at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

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