Gov. Andy Beshear has asked the Letcher County sheriff accused of shooting and killing a district judge on September 19 to resign.
Beshear sent a letter to the Leslie County Detention Center where Mickey Stines, 43, is being held on a first-degree murder charge after allegedly he shot and killed 47th District Court Judge Kevin Mullins, 54. The letter, according to the Herald-Leader, asked Stines to submit a letter of resignation to Letcher Co. Judge-Executive Terry Adams by the end of business on Friday.
“Every Kentucky county deserves an active and a working sheriff,” Beshear said, before adding that there is “more than enough” evidence to justify removing Stines from office.
If Stines chooses not to resign, Beshear said he will begin the process to remove him from office. Stines, though, can contest his removal. In that case, Beshear would hear evidence and make a decision.
No motive has been released, but according to the Mountain Eagle, Stines looked at Mullins’ cell phone and began arguing with the judge just prior to shots being fired.
The Mountain Eagle also reports that the entire incident was captured on surveillance video.
Stines was first elected sheriff in 2018. Mullins was appointed a district court judge in 2009. Prior to that appointment, Mullins served as an assistant commonwealth attorney for nine-and-a-half years.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
