### Former Kentucky Sheriff Pleads Not Guilty to Judge's Murder

In a dramatic courtroom development, surveillance footage revealing the fatal courthouse shooting of Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins surfaced, showing former Sheriff Mickey Stines allegedly firing multiple shots at the judge. The incident took place on September 19 in Whitesburg, Kentucky.

Captured without audio, the video depicts Stines confronting Judge Mullins in the judge's chambers. Mullins, 54, is seen in his judicial robe, seated at a desk cluttered with paperwork and a partially open laptop. In a tense moment, Mullins raises his hands before Stines appears to fire at him several times. The judge then falls and scrambles for cover beneath his desk, but Stines, heading towards the exit, reportedly shoots him multiple times before leaving the room. Tragically, Mullins succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The video was a crucial piece of evidence presented during a court session this week, coinciding with Stines' plea of not guilty to a first-degree murder charge. Despite multiple requests, Stines' legal representative has yet to make any public comments regarding the case.

Following the shooting, Stines, 43, turned himself in at the courthouse. Although the motive behind the fatal encounter remains unclear, the Kentucky State Police confirmed the incident followed a dispute between the two men.

Compounding the legal drama, Stines’ attorney, Jeremy Bartley, announced the former sheriff's retirement. This decision came after Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear's warning of potential removal from office. Nevertheless, Bartley emphasized that Stines' retirement should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt in the ongoing murder case.

As the investigation continues, the community awaits further developments in this shocking case that has brought significant attention to Letcher County.