The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →District Judge Kevin Mullins was found with multiple gunshot wounds at the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg, Kentucky, on September 19, 2024. Kentucky State Police said their preliminary investigation indicated that then-Sheriff Shawn M. Stines shot him. Stines was later indicted on one count of Murder – Public Official; the charge remains an allegation, not a conviction.
What happened to Judge Kevin Mullins?
Kentucky State Police said they received a 911 call at approximately 2:55 p.m. on September 19, 2024, reporting a shooting at the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg. Responders found Mullins, 54, with multiple gunshot wounds. Police said their preliminary investigation indicated that then-Sheriff Shawn M. Stines shot the judge, and reported that Stines was charged with one count of murder.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
The Boys from Biloxi: A Legal Thriller | $8.91 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
The Jury Master | $7.06 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
The #1 Lawyer: A Thriller | $10.32 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
An Insignificant Case: A Thriller | $7.59 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
The Professor | $8.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The police account establishes the reported incident and the initial investigative conclusion. It does not establish a motive.
Who is the sheriff charged in the case?
Shawn “Mickey” Stines was the Letcher County sheriff at the time of the shooting. He is now a former sheriff and the defendant in the case. Kentucky State Police investigated, according to the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
What charge does Stines face?
On November 21, 2024, the Kentucky Attorney General and the Commonwealth’s Attorney announced that a Letcher County grand jury had indicted Stines on one count of Murder – Public Official. The indictment alleges that he shot and killed District Judge Kevin Mullins. An indictment is not a finding of guilt: the Attorney General’s Office stated, “The charges in an indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
What is the latest status of the case?
As of the latest located reports, the case remained in pretrial proceedings. The updates below distinguish court developments reported by news organizations from the official announcements about the investigation and indictment.
Rank #2
- June 5, 2026: Stines appeared at a pretrial hearing addressing motions that included mental-health, bond, and venue issues. Reporting at the time said no trial date had been set.
- August 11, 2026: Spectrum News 1 reported that a judge denied bail and ordered the case moved out of Letcher County. The report said the ruling followed a June 5 evidentiary hearing.
- September 1, 2026: Spectrum News 1 reported that Stines’s attorneys appealed the bail denial. The latest located sources do not establish the appeal’s outcome.
The sources available for these updates do not establish a trial date or a final verdict.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is publicly established—and what is not?
The official announcements establish the date and location of the shooting, Mullins’s identity, the initial police account, and the charge and indictment. They do not establish an official motive. The Kentucky Attorney General’s Office said, “The Kentucky Supreme Court’s rule on trial publicity limits information the Office can provide publicly.” Speculation or separate allegations should not be treated as proof of motive.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
Rank #3
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
