In the small town of Whitesburg, Kentucky, residents were reeling from a tragic shooting involving two well-known figures: a judge who was killed in his courthouse chambers and a sheriff who was charged with his murder.
Mike Watts, the Letcher County circuit court clerk, expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating that both the judge, Kevin Mullins, and the sheriff, Shawn “Mickey” Stines, were friends of his whom he had worked with for years.
The shooting, which resulted in Mullins’ death, occurred following an argument between the judge and the sheriff inside the courthouse. Stines surrendered to authorities without incident and was charged with first-degree murder.
The tight-knit town of Whitesburg, with a population of about 1,700 people, was shocked by the tragedy. The incident came in the midst of a lawsuit filed against the sheriff by two women, one of whom accused a deputy of forcing her into a sexual relationship in exchange for avoiding jail time.
Despite the shocking turn of events, those who knew both Stines and Mullins spoke highly of them, praising their dedication to the community and their efforts to address issues like substance abuse and the opioid crisis.
The incident left many in the town struggling to comprehend how someone like Stines, described as a family man, could commit such a violent act. Residents like Jessica Slone and Patty Wood, who were close to Stines, expressed disbelief and sadness over the situation.
As the community grappled with the aftermath of the shooting, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman pledged to ensure that justice would be served in the case. Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter also visited Whitesburg to show support for the community during this difficult time.
Amidst the speculation and rumors circulating on social media about the shooting, VanMeter urged people to respect the privacy and grief of those affected by the tragedy and allow them to mourn in peace.
“The situation is simply tragic and horrific,” said Letcher County’s judge-executive as he made the decision to close the county courthouse on Friday.
It remains unclear whether Stines, the individual involved, has legal representation as state police directed inquiries to a spokesperson who did not respond immediately via email.
Mullins, who had been serving as a district judge in Letcher County since his appointment by former Gov. Steve Beshear in 2009 and subsequent election, was known for his dedicated service to the community.
Article by Bruce Schreiner and Dylan Lovan
