Chilling new details emerge in murder of Kentucky judge shot dead by sheriff in courthouse

A Kentucky sheriff exchanged phones with a local judge before shooting him dead in his chambers, according to a new report. 

District judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was shot dead in his office after a short argument by Letcher County sheriff Mickey Stines, 44, according to police.

A motive for the shooting remains unclear, but video from the judges office shows the two men looked at each others phones before Stines opened fire, sources told The Mountain Eagle.

Sheriff Stines had entered the courtroom and asked to speak to Mullins privately before they headed to the judges office.

After a short conversation, Stines reportedly stood up to lock the door and each man then took their cellphone out and handed it to the other, the local outlet reported. 

District judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was shot dead in his office after a short argument by Letcher County sheriff Mickey Stines, 44, according to police 

Stines had entered the courtroom and asked to speak to Mullins privately before they headed to the judges office 

Stines then allegedly drew his weapon, walked around the judges desk and shot him repeatedly as Mullins fell to the floor.

The sheriff and the judge had apparently had lunch together with other court employees hours before the killing. 

Stines, a beloved father of two who was reportedly planning to retire when his term ended, has been charged with first-degree murder. 

He was judge Mullins bailiff before he became sheriff in 2018.

Mullins, who held the judgeship for 15 years, died at the scene, and Stines surrendered without incident. 

The fatal shooting sent shock waves through a tight-knit Appalachian town and county seat of government with about 1,700 residents located about 145 miles southeast of Lexington.

Lead county prosecutor Matt Butler described an outpouring of sympathy as he recused himself and his office from investigations in the shooting, citing social and family ties to Mullins.

The sheriff and the judge had apparently had lunch together with other court employees hours before the killing 

We all know each other here. ... Anyone from Letcher County would tell you that Judge Mullins and I married sisters and that we have children who are first cousins but act like siblings, Butler said in statement from his office.

For that reason, among others, I have already taken steps to recuse myself and my entire office.

Letcher County’s judge-executive signed an order closing on Friday the county courthouse where the shooting took place.

Mullins was appointed to serve as a judge in the states 47th district under former Governor Steve Beshear in 2009.

He oversaw juvenile matters, city and county ordinances, misdemeanors, traffic offenses, arraignments, felony probable cause hearings, claims involving $2,500 or less, civil cases involving $5,000 or less, voluntary and involuntary mental commitments and domestic violence cases, according to a Letcher County website.

Stines, a beloved father of two who was reportedly planning to retire when his term ended, has been charged with first-degree murder

Letcher County’s judge-executive signed an order closing on Friday the county courthouse where the shooting took place

Mullins also gained recognition for his efforts to treat those with drug addiction rather than incarcerate them, starting a program in 2010 that allowed inmates with substance abuse disorders to enroll in inpatient treatment as a condition of pretrial release.

He was previously an assistant commonwealth attorney for nine and a half years, focusing on drug-related offenses.

Stines, meanwhile, was elected sheriff in 2018 and reelected in 2022.