Sheriff Charged With Killing Kentucky Judge At Courthouse Pleads Not Guilty

The Kentucky sheriff charged with killing a judge inside of a courthouse last Thursday pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.

Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines, 43, is accused of killing District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, after an argument at the Letcher County Courthouse on Sept. 19 just before 3 p.m., Kentucky State Police confirmed to HuffPost. Stines was arrested after the shooting and Mullins, who suffered from multiple gunshot wounds, was pronounced dead at the scene. A motive is still unknown.

Circuit Court Clerk Mike Watts told local station WKYT that Stines and Mullins had lunch together hours earlier.

Stines is being held without bond and appeared virtually with a public defender at an arraignment on Wednesday before Chief Regional Judge Rupert Wilhoit, according to CNN. The parties discussed Stine’s ability to hire an attorney, based on his $115,000 salary.

“It’s my understanding that he is in the process of losing his job as sheriff of Letcher County, obviously, and will not have income going forward,” public defender Josh Miller told Wilhoit, according to CNN.

An interim sheriff has taken over for Stines, per the Washington Post.

Gov. Andy Beshear (D) reportedly called on Stines to resign, and, said that he would remove Stines from his position as sheriff if he doesn’t, The Associated Press reported.

Another hearing is set for Oct. 1, during which Miller will defend Stines. However, that may change ahead of a trial.

Stines is facing 20 years to life in prison, as well as the possibility of the death penalty, since the case involves the killing of a public official.

In the aftermath of the fatal shooting, the circuit and district courthouses have been closed temporarily, according to the Kentucky Court of Justice website. The Sheriff’s Office is reportedly closed as well, except for emergencies.

Beshear addressed the killing on X, formerly Twitter, saying on Sept. 19, “There is far too much violence in this world.”

“I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow,” he added.