New Testimony Reveals Sheriff’s Family Denies Relationship with Murdered Judge

New Testimony Reveals Sheriff’s Family Denies Relationship with Murdered Judge

A Kentucky judge, allegedly killed by a local sheriff, had no relationship with the sheriff’s daughter, according to new grand jury testimony.

Former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines has been accused of shooting former Judge Kevin Mullins on September 19, 2024. The violent confrontation reportedly followed a lunch outing that included both men.

Video footage obtained prior to this report shows Stines entering Mullins’ chambers and instructing everyone present to leave the room for a private conversation. The two men talked for approximately seven minutes before Stines locked the doors.

Subsequently, Mullins can be seen handing his phone to Stines, who attempted to make a call that went unanswered. Moments later, police reports indicate Stines approached Mullins and fired at point-blank range. Stines has since pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

During the grand jury proceedings, Detective Clayton Stamper of the Kentucky State Police testified that Stines’ wife confirmed their daughter had “no contact whatsoever” with Mullins. The daughter also emphatically denied having spoken with him, as reported by the Courier-Journal.

Denial of Rumors Surrounding Relationships

Detective Stamper stated there were rumors regarding a potential relationship between Mullins and Stines’ daughter, but both women denied these claims.

Witness accounts from two Whitesburg police officers, who responded to the shooting incident, described Stines emerging from the courthouse with a vacant expression. They reported Stines placing his firearm on a table near the entrance and making a concerning statement about his family being in danger.

Mental Health Concerns Raised

Stamper noted that both Stines’ wife and daughter expressed no concerns for their personal safety. Furthermore, no evidence supported claims that they had been kidnapped, which had previously been suggested.

Records reveal that Stines underwent a mental evaluation at the Leslie County Detention Center just four days following the tragic event. The assessment indicated he remained in a state of psychosis and lacked any memory of the recent past.

Sealing of Grand Jury Testimony

The testimony from the grand jury was briefly made public on September 3 before being sealed by authorities.

Stines’ attorney, Jeremy Bartley, has addressed rumors regarding a phone call made from Mullins’ phone. Bartley claimed that Stines had repeatedly attempted to contact his daughter, including while he was in the judge’s chambers, using Mullins’ phone.

This has led to speculation about the nature of the phone exchange. Bartley firmly rejected these insinuations as false.

Paranoia and Fear Preceded the Shooting

Prior to the shooting, there were indications that Stines was grappling with paranoia concerning his family’s safety. This anxiety was reportedly exacerbated by a pending civil lawsuit where he was named and scheduled for deposition.

Specifically, in the weeks leading up to the incident, several individuals close to Stines expressed their concerns about his state of mind. Bartley noted that he had become increasingly paranoid, neglected sleep, and exhibited signs of withdrawal. Concerned co-workers suggested he seek medical assistance, which he did the day before the fatal encounter.

Key Takeaways from Ongoing Investigation

The complexities surrounding this case continue to unfold as authorities further investigate the events leading to the tragic shooting. The interplay between the sheriff’s familial ties and the allegations against him will likely remain central to the discourse as the judicial process proceeds.

Stines remains under the scrutiny of law enforcement and the community as new details come to light. As the authorities include mental health evaluations and witness statements, the narrative around this high-profile case is expected to develop further in the coming months.

Fox News Digital’s Peter D’Abrosca contributed to this report.