Investigators are digging into possible motives behind the shocking murder of Kentucky Judge Kevin Mullins, allegedly at the hands of his longtime friend, Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines.
The two had reportedly been close for decades, even sharing a meal together just hours before the judge was shot to death in his chambers.
The unexpected tragedy has rocked the small community, leaving many to question what could have caused such a horrific act.
Sheriff Stines, 43, has been charged with first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Judge Mullins, 53, on September 19.
The judge was found dead at the Letcher County Circuit Court, where Stines allegedly walked into Mullins’ chambers and shot him eight times.
The sheriff surrendered peacefully, leaving the scene with his hands up and was taken into custody without incident.
Stines has pleaded not guilty to the charges, but the entire case has left the community reeling with confusion and disbelief. What could have happened between these two friends to cause such a violent turn of events?
Surveillance footage from inside the judge’s chambers reportedly shows Stines and Mullins casually exchanging cellphones and looking at something together before Stines suddenly drew his weapon and opened fire.
The Kentucky State Police have seized both phones as part of their investigation, hoping the devices may hold clues to unraveling the motive behind the killing.
“This was a shocking and unthinkable crime, especially given the long friendship between the two,” said Kentucky State Police Trooper Matt Gayheart. “Our investigators are working tirelessly to find out what led to this tragic event.”
What has stunned the community even further is the fact that just hours before the murder, Stines and Mullins had gone to lunch together at their usual spot, the Streetside Grill & Bar on Main Street.
According to restaurant employees, the two men seemed to be in good spirits, ordering their regular meal—chicken wings and salad—with no apparent signs of tension between them.
“Everything seemed normal,” a restaurant worker told reporters. “They’ve been coming here for lunch together for years, and nobody saw this coming. It’s still hard to believe what happened.”
Letcher Circuit Clerk Mike Watts echoed that sentiment, expressing disbelief that anything could have gone so horribly wrong between the friends. “I never saw any friction between them. We all joked around and got along well,” Watts said.
The case becomes even more complicated with revelations about a previous scandal involving Judge Mullins’ former bailiff, Ben Fields. Fields had been dismissed for allegedly coercing a female prisoner into having sex with him inside Mullins’ chambers.
Earlier this year, Fields pled guilty to raping a female inmate and received a sentence of six months in jail followed by probation.
A lawsuit related to the incident accuses Sheriff Stines of failing to adequately supervise Fields during his tenure as deputy.
Just days before the murder, Stines was deposed as part of a civil lawsuit filed by two women, one of whom was Fields’ victim. The civil case alleges that Stines showed “deliberate indifference” to Fields’ misconduct.
Investigators are now exploring whether the fallout from this sex scandal might have played a role in the murder, though they have yet to confirm any direct connection.
When asked about the possibility that the scandal could have provided a motive for the killing, Trooper Gayheart responded, “Absolutely. We are not ruling out anything as a possible motive.”
The case has sparked rampant speculation and rumors throughout the community, with gossip spreading quickly about possible reasons for the violent act. However, investigators and locals alike are cautious about jumping to conclusions.
“The rumors flying around right now are damaging,” one local resident commented. “People are torn between wanting answers and trying to protect the families of both men, who were once seen as pillars of the community.”
As the investigation continues, the mystery behind the murder of Judge Mullins deepens. What caused Sheriff Stines, a man known for his loyalty and friendship with the judge, to suddenly turn on him in such a brutal way?
Investigators are working around the clock to uncover the truth, but for now, the community remains in shock, awaiting answers to what led to this tragic end of a decades-long friendship.