A former Kentucky sheriff, Shawn “Mickey” Stines, is set to attend a preliminary hearing on Tuesday to hear the evidence against him in the fatal shooting of Judge Kevin Mullins. The incident occurred last month in Mullins' chambers, just across the street from the sheriff’s office.
During the hearing, prosecutors will present their case and provide insight into a possible motive for the killing. Following the hearing, a judge will determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to a grand jury.
Stines, who pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder at his arraignment, has not addressed the specific allegations against him. The community of Whitesburg, where the incident took place, eagerly awaits further details about the tragic event.
The hearing, taking place in West Liberty, Kentucky, was assigned a special judge due to the circumstances of the case. Stines resigned from his position as sheriff the day before the hearing, following pressure from Governor Andy Beshear.
In a letter to the governor’s general counsel, Stines' attorneys clarified that his resignation was not an admission of guilt but a decision to allow for a smooth transition of power. The possibility of facing the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder was also highlighted during the preliminary hearing.
