### Former Kentucky Sheriff Pleads Not Guilty to Murder of County Judge

In a courtroom filled with tension, former Kentucky sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines, 43, has entered a plea of not guilty to the murder of state District Judge Kevin Mullins, who was killed in his chambers two months ago. His defense attorney, Kerri Bartley, entered the plea on his behalf during the arraignment held on Monday. This was Stines’ first appearance at the Letcher County Courthouse since the tragic incident.

Appearing visibly restrained, Stines arrived in court shackled and wearing a dark gray jail uniform. Throughout the hearing, he remained silent and displayed no emotion. The courtroom also saw the presence of Billy Jones, who replaced Stines as county sheriff following his resignation, although Jones did not participate in the proceedings.

While the grand jury had charged Stines with the murder of a public official, the indictment did not clarify any motive behind the killing of Judge Mullins. Stines faces a potential death penalty if found guilty. The courthouse had been closed temporarily after the shooting, which led to the preliminary hearing being conducted over 100 miles away to accommodate the community's close ties to both the defendant and the victim. The case is currently being overseen by a special prosecutor and a retired judge.

State Judge Julia H. Adams ruled that Stines would not be granted bond at this time. The courtroom drama unfolded on the afternoon of September 19 when authorities responded to gunshots at the Letcher County courthouse and discovered Mullins, 54, with fatal gunshot wounds. Stines was apprehended at the scene.

During a preliminary hearing last month, prosecutors presented surveillance footage from inside Mullins' chambers. The video allegedly showed Judge Mullins hiding behind his desk as Stines fired multiple rounds. The footage seemed to indicate that Stines fired additional shots upon noticing the judge moving beneath his desk.

Defense attorneys did not contest the video evidence but argued that Stines was experiencing an "extreme emotional disturbance," suggesting that a first-degree manslaughter charge would be more fitting than murder. Testimony from Kentucky State Police Det. Clayton Stamper revealed that Stines checked the judge’s phone before the shooting and attempted to call his daughter from both phones. Phone records indicated prior contact from the judge's phone to Stines' daughter.

The relationship dynamics took yet another twist when Stamper disclosed that both men had shared a meal with a group just before the shooting. Despite no observable anger between them, witnesses recalled Judge Mullins making a remark to Stines, “Do we need to meet private in my chambers?”

As the case progresses, the community watches closely, awaiting justice for a crime that has rocked the very foundations of its judicial system.