The sheriff of a rural eastern Kentucky county walked into a courthouse on Thursday afternoon and shot and killed a district judge in his chambers after an argument, the police said.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
Mickey Stines, 43, the sheriff in Letcher County, turned himself in after shooting Judge Kevin Mullins and was charged with first-degree murder, Trooper Matt Gayheart of the Kentucky State Police said at a news conference on Thursday evening.
The shooting happened at about 2:55 p.m. inside the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg, a city in southeastern Kentucky.
The sheriff was taken to a local jail and had been cooperative with investigators, Trooper Gayheart said.
“This community is small in nature, and we’re all shook,” the trooper said.
Judge Mullins, 54, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene, Trooper Gayheart said.
Investigators were interviewing witnesses who were in the building at the time of the shooting. The police were still trying to determine what had led up to the argument.
Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky said on social media that he had been informed of the shooting.
“There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow,” the governor wrote.
The shooting prompted concerns in the community about an active shooter and prompted lockdowns at area schools. The police later said the shooting was an isolated incident and that there was no threat to the public.
Russell Coleman, the Kentucky attorney general, said that his office would work with local officials to investigate and prosecute the case.
In a statement, Chief Justice Laurence B. VanMeter of the Kentucky Supreme Court said on Thursday night that he was “shocked by this act of violence, and the court system is shaken by this news.” The courthouse where the shooting took place is closed until further notice.
The news stunned the residents of Letcher County, which is about 110 miles southeast of Lexington and is home to about 21,500 people.
Judge Mullins was first elected by county residents in 2010, according to Ballotpedia, which tracks elections. He had recently been appointed to a state judicial commission on mental health.
Mr. Stines, who is also known as Shawn M. Stines, was elected sheriff in 2018 and was re-elected in 2022.
Since becoming sheriff, Mr. Stines has been named a defendant in two federal cases.
The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209.
______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
Bonus:
Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.
How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626
________________________________________________________________________ The Law And Practice Of Redundancy In Nigeria: A Practitioner’s Guide, Authored By A Labour & Employment Law Expert Bimbo Atilola
_______________________________________________________________________
“Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
