FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 21, 2024) – Attorney General Russell Coleman and Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit Jackie Steele announced today that action by the joint prosecution resulted in the indictment of former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 43, for murder of a public official.
On November 21, 2024, a Letcher County Grand Jury indicted Stines on one count of Murder – Public Official. According to the indictment, Stines shot and killed Letcher County District Court Judge Kevin Mullins. The arraignment was set for Monday, November 25 at 12pm ET.
The Kentucky State Police investigated the case. Commonwealth’s Attorney Steele and Deputy Executive Director of the Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Unit Ramsey Dallam presented the case to the Letcher County Grand Jury on behalf of the Commonwealth.
The Kentucky Supreme Court’s rule on trial publicity limits information the Office can provide publicly.
The charges in an indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.