Former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, accused of murdering District Judge Kevin Mullins, is seeking to have the indictment against him dismissed. His legal team argues that the prosecution failed to properly document a key meeting with the grand jury, which took place in November 2024, that eventually led to Stines’ indictment.
The defense claims that the grand jury lacked critical information that was known to prosecutors, particularly details regarding an ongoing civil lawsuit involving Stines. The attorneys, Jeremy and Kerri Bartley, assert that this lawsuit could shed light on the motivations behind the shooting. Moreover, they contend that testimony from the lead investigator, Kentucky State Police Detective Clayton Stamper, was biased and unduly prejudicial.
The tragic event unfolded on September 19, 2024, when Stines allegedly shot Judge Mullins in his chambers. The incident, captured on surveillance cameras, shocked the small community where both men were prominent figures.
Just days before the shooting, Stines was involved in a deposition related to a civil case against former deputy Ben Fields, currently imprisoned for raping a woman in exchange for lifting her ankle monitor during home confinement. Attorney Jeremy Bartley noted that Stines had expressed concerns for the safety of his family due to perceived threats and pressure to remain silent about courthouse activities.
Subsequent body camera footage from responding police officers revealed Stines exhibiting paranoia, fearing for his life shortly after the shooting.
Source: www.foxnews.com
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