Dark history of court chambers where Kentucky judge was gunned down by sheriff

The Kentucky court chambers where Judge Kevin Mullins was allegedly gunned down by the local sheriff had a dark history with links to both the judge and the sheriff.

A former inmate claimed in a federal lawsuit in 2022 that former Letcher County deputy Ben Fields coerced her into having sexual relations inside Mullins chamber, where he told her there were no cameras, according to the Courier-Journal.

The suit claimed the former inmate, Sabrina Adkins, was compelled to comply with defendant Fields advances given his position and power because she could not afford to pay for the ankle monitor and did not want to return to Letcher County Jail.

She was allegedly told that if she gave into Fields sexual advances, she would not have to pay any fees and could remain under home incarceration.

Sheriff Mickey Stines, 43, was named as a defendant in the case, which claims he did not reasonably respond to reports or suspicions about the sexual abuse and had a deliberate indifference in failing to adequately train and supervise Fields, the New York Times reports.

Kentucky District Court Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was fatally shot multiple times inside his chambers on Thursday

Those chambers at the Letcher County Courthouse have dark ties to the suspected gunman, Sheriff Mickey Stines

Stines - who fired Fields shortly after the lawsuit was filed - was ordered on Monday to appear for deposition in the case, according to court documents obtained by William Kyle Vass. 

It is unclear from the court documents whether Mullins was aware of the sexual abuse in his office at the time or whether he was involved in any wrongdoing, but the court documents do list him as someone with information in the case.

It is also unclear whether the sexual abuse case may have been a motive in the shooting on Thursday, when Stines allegedly walked into Mullins chambers and told staff he needed to speak to the judge alone.

He and Mullins then entered the judges inner office, closed the door and those outside heard a number of gunshots, according to The Mountain Eagle. 

Stines then walked out with his hands raised and surrendered to officers, who placed him in handcuffs at around 3pm as Kentucky State Police officers found Mullins, 54, with multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced him dead at the scene.

The sheriff is now facing first-degree murder charges, and is said to be cooperating with State Police investigating the incident, the New York Times reports.

Authorities say Stines, 43, turned himself over to police following the shooting

The shooting on Thursday temporarily put the local high school on lockdown, and rattled the rural community of Whitesburg.

This community is small in nature, and we’re all shook, State Trooper Matt Gayheart said at an evening news conference.

He added that there were cameras inside the courthouse, and all of the witnesses to the shooting will be interviewed by police as a motive for the shooting remains unclear. 

Mullins had been appointed to serve as a judge in the states 47th district under former Gov. 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.

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 recently appointed to a state judicial commission on mental health and 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. 

The sheriff reportedly told court employees he needed to speak with Mullins alone, and the two went into his inner office and closed the door before witnesses heard gunshots

The shooting on Thursday temporarily put the local high school on lockdown, and rattled the rural community of Whitesburg

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman indicated Thursday his office will work with Jackie Steele, the commonwealth’s attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit, as special prosecutors on the case.

We will fully investigate and pursue justice, he announced on social media.

The Kentucky Court of Justice has also said it is in contact with law enforcement agencies, including the Kentucky State Police, and are offering our full support during this difficult time.

While the investigation is ongoing, we are committed to providing assistance in any way we can, the court system said on social media.

Our deepest sympathies go out to all those impacted by this tragic event, and our thoughts and prayers are with the community during this challenging time. 

Circuit and district courts, as well as the office of the circuit court clerk will remain closed on Friday following the shooting.