The defense team representing a Kentucky sheriff who allegedly shot a judge in his chambers last year says they are reviewing voluminous amounts of evidence.
Former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Mickey Stines was jailed after the murder of Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, on September 19. Stines was indicted by a grand jury on one count of murder of a public official, to which he pleaded not guilty.
The 44-year-old former sheriffs defense attorney, Jeremy Bartley, said in a remote court hearing on Friday that the defense is reviewing voluminous amounts of potential evidence provided by prosecutors.
Prosecutors may take another four to six months to amass all potential evidence and complete any testing of it, according to prosecutor Jackie Steele.
We still have some things coming in and things being tested, Steele said.
Stines, who appeared remotely from jail for Fridays video conference, showed no emotion as he sat behind his lawyers while his upcoming murder trial was discussed.
Stines attorneys also indicated that they plan to ask that bond be set at another hearing, which is yet to scheduled.
Circuit Court Judge Christopher Cohron, who was appointed last month as special judge in the case, said he would be glad to address bond then.
Shawn Mickey Stines, 44, appeared remotely from jail on Friday as he and his lawyers prepare for his upcoming murder trial. Defense attorney Jeremy Bartley said that the defense is reviewing voluminous amounts of potential evidence provided by prosecutors
Stines was jailed after the murder of Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins on September 19
Stines attorneys also indicated that they plan to ask that bond be set at another hearing, which is yet to scheduled
Bartley said the matter of Stines bond release had been in limbo until Cohrons appointment to the case.
Stines, who was sheriff at the time, has been accused of fatally shooting Judge Mullins, who died at the scene.
The incident had been caught on camera in a video showing a man, identified as Stines by authorities, pulling out a gun and shooting Mullins as he sat at his desk.
The man then walked around the desk and fired the gun again at Mullins who had fallen on the floor.
Stines allegedly entered the courthouse and told others he needed to speak with Mullins alone. Once in the chambers, the two began arguing and Mullins was shot several times, according to authorities.
He was said to have surrendered to law enforcement and is being held in a different Kentucky County Jail.
Stines stepped down from his position as sheriff shortly after the incident.
Just days prior to the shooting, Stines had been deposed in a separate federal lawsuit filed by Sabrina Adkins.
Stines, who was sheriff at the time, has been accused of fatally shooting Judge Mullins, who died at the scene. The incident had been caught on camera, where a video showed a man, identified as Stines, pulled out a gun and shot Mullins as he sat at his desk
Judge Mullins had been accused by Adkins of inappropriate behavior and claimed she had witnessed him engaging in sexual acts with women in exchange for special treatment
Stines had been a close friend to Mullins for around 30 years and the pair had even been seen dining together at a local restaurant for lunch just hours before the shooting
Judge Mullins had been accused by Adkins of inappropriate behavior and claimed she had witnessed him engaging in sexual acts with women in exchange for special treatment.
The lawsuit, filed in January 2022, claimed Mullins was involved in a sex-for-favors scheme within his chambers.
Adkins also alleged that former deputy Ben Fields was involved, having filmed illicit encounters, some of which reportedly involved Mullins.
The disgraced sheriff was also mentioned in the legal proceedings just three days before the shooting.
Bartley referenced this case as a potential factor in Stines actions, he said: I think the deposition has several important roles in this case... its going to be a large portion of the story we tell.
Stines had been a close friend to Mullins for around 30 years, and the pair had even been seen dining together at a local restaurant for lunch just hours before the shooting.
The alleged judge shooter could face the death penalty if convicted.
There has been no mention of any specific evidence and police have given no official motive for the shooting.