FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 25, 2024) – Attorney General Russell Coleman and Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit Jackie Steele announced that Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 43, was arraigned today in Letcher County District Court for a criminal charge of Murder in the First Degree.
Stines was arraigned virtually before a special judge from Carter County. He will next appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, October 1st at 1pm ET.
The Kentucky State Police is investigating the case. Commonwealth’s Attorney Steele and Deputy Executive Director of the Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Unit Ramsey Dallam will prosecute the case on behalf of the Commonwealth.
The Kentucky Supreme Court’s rule on trial publicity limits information the Office can provide publicly.
The charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.