sheriff accused of murder, Kentucky judge killed by sheriff, courthouse shooting involving sheriff/ Newslooks/ FRANKFORT/ Ky./ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A Kentucky sheriff has been charged with murder after fatally shooting District Judge Kevin Mullins in his courthouse chambers following an argument. Sheriff Shawn M. Stines surrendered after the incident in Whitesburg, a small Appalachian town. The shooting shocked the close-knit community, and state officials have vowed to seek justice.
Kentucky Courthouse Shooting Quick Looks
- Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines was charged with murder after allegedly shooting District Judge Kevin Mullins inside the courthouse.
- The fatal shooting occurred in Whitesburg, Kentucky, following a heated argument between Stines and Mullins.
- Mullins, 54, was shot multiple times and died at the scene; Stines, 43, surrendered to authorities without resistance.
- The Kentucky State Police are continuing the investigation, and the sheriff has yet to secure legal representation.
- County prosecutor Matt Butler recused himself from the case due to family ties to Mullins, who had served as a judge for 15 years.
- Mullins was well-known for advocating substance abuse treatment and helped establish addiction recovery programs in Kentucky courts.
- Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice condemned the violence, calling for an end to such incidents.
- Schools in the area briefly went into lockdown following the shooting for safety precautions.
Kentucky Judge Fatally Shot in his courthouse by Sheriff
Deep Look:
In a shocking and tragic incident, a local sheriff in rural Kentucky has been charged with murder following the fatal shooting of a district judge inside a courthouse. The Kentucky State Police reported that Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines allegedly shot and killed District Judge Kevin Mullins after a heated argument in Mullins’ chambers on Thursday. The 54-year-old judge, who had served for 15 years, was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot multiple times. Stines, 43, surrendered without any resistance shortly after the incident occurred.
The courthouse shooting has sent shockwaves through the small town of Whitesburg, a close-knit Appalachian community of about 1,700 people located 145 miles southeast of Lexington. The courthouse where the tragic event unfolded was immediately closed, and several area schools went into brief lockdowns as a precaution.
Kentucky State Police are leading the investigation, and while authorities have not yet provided a full motive for the altercation, the situation has deeply impacted the town and surrounding areas. Sheriff Stines, now charged with first-degree murder, has not yet obtained legal representation, and inquiries into his defense were not immediately answered by officials.
The local county prosecutor, Matt Butler, recused himself from the case, citing close family ties to the victim. In a statement, Butler explained that both he and Judge Mullins had married sisters, making their children first cousins. Given these deep personal connections, Butler made the decision to remove both himself and his office from the investigation to avoid any potential conflict of interest. Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman has since announced that his office will take over the case in collaboration with a commonwealth’s attorney from the region. Coleman pledged to pursue justice in light of the tragic circumstances.
In response to the murder, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed his condolences and dismay, posting on social media that “there is far too much violence in this world” and calling for a “path to a better tomorrow.” Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter echoed similar sentiments, expressing his shock at the act of violence and noting that the entire Kentucky court system was shaken by the news.
Mullins had built a reputation in the community for his work in promoting addiction recovery and substance abuse treatment. Since being appointed by former Governor Steve Beshear in 2009 and later elected in 2010, he was known for his efforts to help individuals caught in the justice system find avenues for recovery. His contributions included launching and expanding programs like Addiction Recovery Care, which provided peer support services to those battling addiction. His initiatives were adopted in at least 50 Kentucky counties, earning him respect across the state.
The killing has left a profound sense of loss in the community, particularly among those who worked alongside Mullins to combat the opioid epidemic that has ravaged many rural areas. As a founding member of the Responsive Effort to Support Treatment in Opioid Recovery Efforts (RESTORE) leadership team, Mullins was instrumental in advancing treatment options within the court system. His untimely death has left many mourning not just the man but the positive impact he had on his community.
As the investigation continues, the courthouse in Letcher County remains closed, and state authorities have pledged to ensure a thorough examination of the events that led to the tragic killing. Local residents and officials alike are grappling with the loss of a respected judge, while also confronting the painful reality of such a violent event occurring in their tight-knit town.
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