LETCHER COUNTY, Ky. — Newly released court documents are shedding light on the state of mind of former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines in the hours leading up to the fatal courthouse shooting of Judge Kevin Mullins last September.
Fear for His Family
Witness statements reveal that Stines appeared increasingly paranoid and convinced that his family was under threat. Records show he went home, put on a bulletproof vest, and insisted others call to confirm his daughter’s safety.
Staff members described Stines as “distraught” and noted that he even made phone calls to long-deceased relatives—behavior prosecutors now cite as evidence of his declining mental state.
Security footage reviewed by investigators shows Stines using both his own phone and Judge Mullins’ phone to try reaching his daughter shortly before standing up inside the courtroom and opening fire.
Civil Case Pressure
Attorneys for Stines argue that the shooting was fueled by extreme psychological stress tied to ongoing civil litigation involving deputies and allegations of a sex-for-favors scheme inside the courthouse.
In a recent filing, defense attorney Jeremey Bartley wrote that the intense scrutiny surrounding the courthouse scandal caused Stines to break down mentally. He cited testimony from Daniel Dotson, a former colleague, who allegedly told investigators that he had warned Mullins: “Mickey was losing it and couldn’t take this kind of pressure.”
One sheriff’s office employee also reported that Stines claimed Dotson demanded money and instructed him to kill himself—or else his wife and daughter would be killed.
The Shooting and Arrest
On the day of the shooting, Stines opened fire during court proceedings, fatally striking Judge Mullins. Officers quickly subdued and arrested him.
Body camera footage taken after the arrest shows Stines trembling and begging officers not to release him, saying: “I leave this building, I won’t take another breath.”
Medical reports later documented signs of active psychosis, yet detectives testified before a grand jury that they believed Stines was legally sane at the time of the shooting.
Judge Mullins and Misconduct Allegations
Despite defense efforts to tie the tragedy to courthouse misconduct, Judge Mullins was never criminally charged in connection with the alleged sex-for-favors scandal. Prosecutors maintain that Stines’ claims are unsubstantiated and should not overshadow the central fact that he intentionally carried out a deadly attack on a sitting judge.
Current Status of the Case
Stines has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and murder of a public official. His defense team continues to seek dismissal of the indictment, arguing that his mental state and the immense pressure he faced should be taken into account.
For now, Stines remains in custody as his legal battle continues to unfold. The case has drawn widespread attention, not only for its violent outcome but also for its entanglement with broader allegations of courthouse misconduct, corruption, and a sheriff’s mental unraveling under pressure.
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