A Kentucky sheriff, Shawn Stines, 43, has been charged with first-degree murder after fatally shooting District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, inside his chambers at the Letcher County courthouse. The shooting followed an argument between Stines and Mullins in Whitesburg, Kentucky. Stines was taken into custody without incident and is currently held at Leslie County Detention Center.
Earlier this week, Stines was deposed in a lawsuit accusing him of failing to investigate claims of a local deputy, Ben Fields, sexually assaulting women under house arrest. One woman alleged that Fields forced her to have sex in the same judge's chambers where the shooting occurred. Fields, a former deputy sheriff, pleaded guilty to raping a female prisoner while on home incarceration and was sentenced to jail time and probation for multiple charges.
The lawsuit alleges that Stines showed 'deliberate indifference' in failing to adequately train and supervise Fields. The women claimed that Fields disabled their monitoring devices and coerced them into sexual acts by threatening arrest if they did not comply.
The killing of Judge Mullins has deeply affected the community of Whitesburg, a small town in the Appalachian region. Lead county prosecutor Matt Butler recused himself from the investigation due to personal ties to Mullins, highlighting the close-knit nature of the community.
Judge Mullins, who served in the 47th Judicial District overseeing various legal matters, was known for promoting substance abuse treatment and assisting residents in accessing treatment programs. His tragic death has left a void in the justice system and the community he served.
