Sheriff accused of shooting, killing judge retires

The sheriff accused of killing a judge in eastern Kentucky has retired.

Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines, according to the Herald-Leader, retired effective Monday.

Stines, 43, of McRoberts, is accused of shooting multiple times and killing 54-year-old 47^th District Court Judge Kevin Mullins, of Jackhorn, in the judge’s chambers at the Letcher County Courthouse on the afternoon of September 19. The two men had lunch together only a few hours before the shooting.

Immediately after shooting Mullins, Stines surrendered to deputies. Kentucky State Police charged the former sheriff with first-degree murder.

Last week, Gov. Andy Beshear requested Stines submit his resignation to the Letcher County judge-executive before end of business on Friday, September 27.

Attorney General Russell Coleman said his office, in collaboration with the commonwealth’s attorney for the 27^th Judicial Circuit, will serve as special prosecutors in the case.

The motive for the shooting is currently unknown.

Stines was 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.

Stines is being held in the Leslie County Detention Center.

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com