Letcher County Residents Debate Wild Rumors and Theories Over Why Sheriff Mickey Stines Shot and Killed Judge Kevin Mullins

Numerous internet posts from Letcher County, Kentucky, citizens claim that Sheriff Shawn Mickey Stines, who shot and killed District judge Kevin Mullins, was seeking retribution for his daughter.

After the two got into a fight on Thursday, September 19, Stines is said to have shot and killed Mullins in his chambers at the Letcher County courthouse in Whitesburg, Kentucky. Then he emerged and gave himself up to the authorities.

Mickey Stines has unexpectedly been defended in internet conversations spurred by the horrifying murder, as it is claimed that he killed his wife and family to protect them. Others accuse Stines of engaging in a culture of abuse within the local law enforcement community; Stines was sued for forcing a woman to do sex acts in exchange for avoiding jail time.

Alleged Familial Abuse

Numerous viral posts from Letcher County residents allege that Judge Mullins was carrying out some unfavorable acts leading to his murder.

“I was shocked to hear about Mickey stines shooting Kevin Mullins but everyone that lives in letcher county knows how Kevin and some of the lawyers are in whitesburg if they are a woman. I have seen my self Kevin making passes at women at the court house when he is on his smoke breaks, one Letcher County resident,” Jessica Wall alleged in a viral Facebook post.

She continued: “…most of the women that went in front of Kevin would be all dressed to impress because him and some of the lawyers were getting s*xual favors done to them to reduce or even throw out their punishment so I don’t blame Mickey at all if it had been my young daughter I would have done the same thing,”

Another post alleged even more egregious crimes against the judge.

The allegations have sparked numerous debates as other people condemned Stines for taking the law into his own hands even if his family was being abused as alleged.

According to online reports, Stines was being sued by a woman who alleges one of his deputies pressured her into having intercourse with the deputy in return for favorable treatment. The alleged abuse occurred in Mullins’ chambers, although the suit does not name him as a defendant. It’s unclear what connection this lawsuit might have had to the shooting.

District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds in his chambers on Thursday.

Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. “Mickey” Stines, 43, was arrested at the scene. He’s been charged with first-degree murder. Authorities have not commented on a possible motive.

Stines allegedly walked into the judge’s outer office, then told court employees and others gathered there that he needed to speak with Mullins alone, according to The Mountain Eagle. Shortly after the two walked into the judge’s chambers, shots were heard. Then Stines walked out with his hands up and surrendered to police.

State police said Stines fatally shot Mullins after an argument Thursday afternoon inside the courthouse.