Well, folks, it seems like things are taking a wild turn in Letcher County, Kentucky, where a sheriff has done the unthinkable—allegedly shooting a district judge in cold blood. And where did this happen? Inside the judge’s own chambers, of all places. You can’t make this stuff up.
Sheriff Mickey Stines, who was re-elected in 2022, apparently walked into the courthouse on a Thursday afternoon, casually telling the staff that he needed to have a private word with District Court Judge Kevin Mullins. What could go wrong, right? Well, according to witnesses, the two went into Mullins’ office, closed the door, and not long after, gunshots rang out. Next thing you know, Mullins, a 54-year-old judge known for his progressive take on drug treatment, was dead.
Now, before anyone tries to paint this as some backwoods drama, let’s remember Mullins wasn’t just any judge. This guy made headlines for his forward-thinking approach, starting programs to treat drug addicts rather than just tossing them into overcrowded jails. He was one of those rare officials who believed in second chances—a compassionate judge in a tough-on-crime state. So, naturally, people are scratching their heads trying to figure out why a sheriff—who was supposed to uphold the law—would gun down a man known for, well, bending over backward to help people.
State police and investigators are still sifting through the details, trying to make sense of the whole mess. But what we do know is that a Kentucky courthouse turned into a crime scene, and the ripple effects were felt immediately. Nearby Letcher County Central High School went into lockdown, with terrified parents hearing there was an “active shooter” situation downtown. Fortunately, the students were safe, and the shooter was quickly apprehended.
Keep an eye on this story as it unravels. It’s a tangled web.
Former bailiff, now 2-term Letcher County Sheriff, Mickey Stines, unloaded his gun on [some reports – shot 6xs] District Judge Kevin Mullins after a heated argument.
Court chambers apparently has a dark history of… https://t.co/977Ym51MVS pic.twitter.com/coAXOfzh2G
— Navy⚓Brat (@_NavyBrat) September 20, 2024
Governor Andy Beshear chimed in, offering thoughts and prayers (as politicians tend to do), lamenting the violence that seems to seep into every corner of our society these days. His post didn’t give us much new info, but at least he acknowledged what everyone’s thinking: This is just one more example of the world going off the rails.
Attorney General Russell Coleman has already stepped up, promising that his office will work alongside the commonwealth’s attorney as special prosecutors in this case. So, we can expect a legal circus to follow, though who knows how long it’ll take to get any real answers.
⚡The Kentucky sheriff who fatally shot a local judge in his chambers had exchanged cell phones with the judge just moments before the incident.
According to the Mountain Eagle, District Judge Kevin Mullins and Sheriff Mickey Stines swapped phones.
After Stines allegedly found… pic.twitter.com/e7bWTZ7n8m
— War Monitor (@War_Monitor09) September 21, 2024
Meanwhile, we’re left wondering how a lawman who took an oath to protect and serve ended up accused of killing a judge in broad daylight. Maybe Sheriff Stines forgot which side of the law he was supposed to be on. Whatever the case, you can bet the people of Kentucky are watching closely as this baffling tragedy unfolds. Stay tuned, folks—this one’s just getting started.
