District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was discovered with gunshot wounds around 3 p.m. on Thursday and was pronounced dead at the Letcher County courthouse in Whitesburg, State Police Trooper Matt Gayheart confirmed during a press briefing that evening.
Kentucky Sheriff Charged with Murder After Fatal Shooting of Judge in Courthouse Chambers
Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines, 43, who was responsible for providing security to judges, allegedly shot District Judge Kevin Mullins following an argument in the judge’s chambers, according to an initial investigation by Kentucky State Police. Stines is now facing a first-degree murder charge, police confirmed. CNN is working to find out if Stines has legal representation.
Authorities reported that Stines turned himself in immediately after the shooting and was arrested at the courthouse without resistance. He is currently cooperating with the investigation, Trooper Matt Gayheart stated. It's unclear who will assume the role of county sheriff following Stines' arrest, as he had served in that position for approximately eight years.
Gayheart noted that the courthouse is equipped with cameras and that all witnesses will be interviewed as part of the investigation.
"This is a small, close-knit community, and we're all shaken by this," Gayheart said.
The fatal shooting comes less than two weeks after a separate shooting in southeastern Kentucky on an interstate in Laurel County, which left five people injured. Additionally, just three days ago, a deputy in Russell County was killed in the line of duty.
"There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray for a path to a better tomorrow," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear wrote in a social media post.
Although there were other individuals in the building at the time of Judge Mullins' shooting, no one was present in the judge’s chambers, and no additional injuries were reported. According to Gayheart, there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Law enforcement has not yet disclosed the specifics of the argument that preceded the shooting, and the motive is still under investigation. Gayheart emphasized that the incident appears to be "isolated."
Sheriff Stines is scheduled to make his first court appearance on September 25 before a judge in Carter County, located approximately 100 miles from the crime scene. Jackie Steele, the Commonwealth’s Attorney handling the case, stated that Stines will participate in the hearing remotely.
Stines is currently being held in Leslie County, which is over 40 miles away from the Letcher County Courthouse. As of Friday, it remains unclear whether he will stay in Leslie County or be moved to another facility prior to his hearing, according to Jackie Steele, the Commonwealth’s Attorney.
In Kentucky, sheriffs are tasked with maintaining security at courthouses, including the personal safety of judges, explained Jerry Wagner, a retired sheriff and the executive director of the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association.
“We have 120 sheriffs who work closely with our judges on a daily basis. Our relationship with them is more collaborative than with any other elected officials,” Wagner noted.
“This is a complete shock,” he added. “It’s hard to know how to prepare for something like this.”
Here’s what we currently know about the two individuals involved, the shooting, and the ongoing investigation.
Overview of Mullins and Stines
Judge Kevin Mullins, a resident of Jackhorn, has served as a district judge for Kentucky’s 47th District Court in Letcher County since his appointment in 2009 by former Governor Steve Beshear, the current governor's father. He was elected to the position in 2010 and subsequently re-elected in 2014, 2018, and 2022.
Prior to becoming a judge, Mullins was the assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Letcher County, focusing primarily on drug-related cases. He was admitted to the bar in 1995.
Mullins was known for his advocacy of substance abuse treatment for individuals within the justice system, assisting hundreds of residents in accessing inpatient treatment. He was involved in programs aimed at addiction recovery, including one he promoted during a drug summit in 2022, according to *The Associated Press*.
Additionally, Mullins played a key role in establishing a program that provides peer support services in the courthouse for addiction treatment and collaborated with various healthcare providers, as reported by the AP. He was also a founding member of the Responsive Effort to Support Treatment in Opioid Recovery Efforts Leadership Team.
Earlier this month, Sheriff Shawn M. Stines praised the agency’s efforts, including recent drug busts, expressing gratitude to the citizens of Letcher County for their support. In a Facebook post dated September 4, he said, “Thank you to the awesome citizens of Letcher County for allowing us to serve you and providing us with information to help catch fugitives and get drugs off our streets.”
Investigation into the Judge’s Chambers Shooting
State police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting and the nature of the argument between the two men, officials confirmed on Thursday.
"We know that an argument occurred between them leading up to the shooting, but the specifics of what happened just before the shots were fired are still under investigation," Trooper Matt Gayheart stated.
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced on Thursday that his office will collaborate with Commonwealth's Attorney Jackie Steele as special prosecutors in the case. "We are committed to thoroughly investigating this matter and seeking justice," Coleman emphasized.
According to Gayheart, Judge Mullins’ body will be sent to the medical examiner’s office in Frankfort for an autopsy.
Sheriff Stines Involved in Lawsuit Prior to Shooting
Just days before the shooting, Sheriff Shawn M. Stines was deposed in an ongoing federal lawsuit related to a former deputy accused of coercing a woman into a sexual relationship in Judge Mullins’ chambers back in 2021.
Sabrina Adkins and Jennifer Hill filed the lawsuit against Stines and Deputy Ben Fields in 2022. They allege that Fields promised to keep Adkins out of jail and on home release, while waiving the fees for an ankle monitor, in exchange for sex.
The complaint details how Adkins, struggling to find housing and unable to afford the ankle monitor, received flirtatious comments from Fields about her appearance. The deputy reportedly expressed confidence that they could “work something out.”
Adkins claims that Fields arranged to meet her “after dark” in Mullins' chambers, stating he preferred the location because it lacked surveillance cameras. The lawsuit alleges that Fields met with Adkins at the courthouse during late-night or early morning hours approximately six times over seven months, including for sexual encounters.
Allegations Against Deputy Fields and Lawsuit Developments
Jennifer Hill, the second plaintiff in the lawsuit, accused Deputy Ben Fields of falsely asserting that she was violating the terms of her home confinement after she refused to grant him a "favor," which she interpreted as a sexual request. According to the lawsuit, following Hill's subsequent arrest, Fields allegedly harassed her at home, explicitly demanding oral sex and later intercourse in his sheriff's office vehicle in exchange for keeping her out of jail.
Fields faces multiple felony charges, including rape and tampering with a monitoring device, and he received a suspended jail sentence as part of a plea deal earlier this year, as reported by the Mountain Eagle.
Adkins recounted her experience at Fields’ January sentencing, stating, “My nightmares got so bad I had to go on medicine and probably will be for the rest of my life,” adding that she continues to seek counseling for trauma.
Hill has since passed away, and criminal charges against Fields related to her case have been dropped. However, her estate is still pursuing the lawsuit against Fields and Sheriff Stines, according to court documents.
The lawsuit claims that Sheriff Stines failed to conduct an adequate investigation into the sexual allegations against Fields.
After the lawsuit was filed, Stines terminated Fields’ employment in 2022 for "conduct unbecoming," as noted in a disciplinary letter obtained by the Louisville Courier-Journal.
In response to the lawsuit, defense attorneys argued that Sheriff Stines acted in good faith and exercised reasonable care in fulfilling his duties. They also contended that the case should be dismissed based on the statute of limitations and sovereign immunity.
Both plaintiffs’ and defendants’ attorneys confirmed to CNN that Stines was deposed in the case on Monday, but they did not disclose any specifics of his testimony.
Jonathan Shaw, the attorney representing Stines in his official capacity, stated in an email to CNN that he could not comment on Stines' personal matters in the federal suit or the murder case. “This is a sad day for our legal community,” Shaw said, expressing hope for a clearer understanding of the circumstances surrounding Judge Mullins’ death. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the judge’s family and all those involved.”
Community Reeling from Judge's Killing
Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter expressed his shock over the murder of Judge Mullins, stating that the court was left “shaken.” He offered his condolences, saying, “My prayers are with his family and the Letcher County community as they process this tragic loss.”
Matt Butler, the commonwealth’s attorney for Letcher County, has recused himself from the prosecution of Sheriff Stines due to familial ties; his wife is the sister of Mullins' wife. In a statement, Butler reflected on his long-standing relationships with both men, describing them as “brothers” with whom he has worked for seventeen years.
“We all know each other here,” Butler noted, adding that both he and Mullins married sisters, making their children first cousins who behave like siblings. “Please pray for Judge Mullins’ family and for my children. Ian and Ivy have been in tears, begging to see their uncle. My community is completely devastated.”
In light of the shooting, the circuit and district courts, along with the office of the circuit court clerk, will remain closed until further notice, according to the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts. Once they reopen, a retired judge will temporarily oversee district court cases until a replacement for Mullins is appointed by the Judicial Nominating Commission, spokesperson Jim Hannah confirmed to CNN on Friday.