Judge Murdered After Sex Scandal Testimony

The murder of District Judge Kevin Mullins shocked the small community of Letcher County, Kentucky. Former Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines, a longtime friend and colleague of Mullins, now stands accused of gunning him down inside his courthouse chambers. As Stines awaits trial, his legal team has revealed that they plan to present an insanity defense, arguing that he was suffering from extreme emotional distress at the time of the shooting. But what led to this deadly confrontation, and how might his defense strategy play out in court?

Video Captures Judge's Shocking Final Moments

Stines is charged with the Sept. 19, 2024, killing of Judge Mullins, who was 54 years old at the time of his death. The shooting, which was captured on video, allegedly shows Stines pulling out his gun, pointing it at Mullins' head, and firing multiple times — continuing even after the judge had fallen to the ground.

The two men had been close for years, with Stines previously serving as a bailiff in Mullins' courtroom before being elected sheriff in 2018. The brutal nature of the crime has left many in the community shocked and searching for answers.

Sex Scandal Lawsuit Tied to Deadly Shooting

Just days before the shooting, Stines had given a five-hour deposition in a civil lawsuit involving former Letcher County deputy Ben Fields. The lawsuit alleged that Fields had coerced two women into sexual acts while they were under home arrest. One of the women claimed she was assaulted inside Mullins's private courthouse office.

Fields later pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including third-degree rape and perjury. While Stines was not accused of direct involvement in the crimes, he was named in the lawsuit for failing to properly train Fields. His defense attorney, Jeremy Bartley, claims the intense pressure surrounding the case deeply affected Stines' mental state.

Fear, Insomnia, and a Fatal Decision

Leading up to the shooting, Stines reportedly showed signs of severe emotional distress. His family and colleagues became so concerned that they staged an intervention, taking him to a medical provider the day before Mullins was killed. Bartley claims Stines had not been sleeping and was increasingly paranoid, believing his family was in danger.

"We're confident that there will be evidence that his mental health was impaired," Bartley told PEOPLE. "It's a tragic situation all around." He went on to suggest that Stines' mindset prevented him from rationally assessing any potential threats he perceived.

Murder or Mental Breakdown?

Stines' legal team plans to argue that he was not in full control of his actions and should, at most, be convicted of manslaughter rather than murder. Bartley insists the shooting was not premeditated but was instead a result of extreme emotional disturbance.

As the trial approaches, prosecutors have yet to comment on the insanity defense. Meanwhile, the case continues to send shockwaves through Letcher County, where both Stines and Mullins were well-known figures in the justice system. With a video recording of the shooting as key evidence, the court will now decide whether Stines' claims of mental impairment will stand in court — or if he will be held fully accountable for the murder of a sitting judge.

References: Kentucky Sheriff Accused of Killing Judge In his Chambers Plans to Present Insanity Defense | Kentucky sheriff charged with fatally shooting judge pal plans to offer insanity defense at trial: docs