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Ex-Sheriff to Get Bond Hearing More than a Year After Being Charged with Killing a Kentucky Judge

On Thursday, Circuit Judge Christopher Cohron refused to dismiss the murder indictment and allowed a bond hearing for former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn `Mickey` Stines, accused of killing District Judge Kevin Mullins in Whitesburg, Kentucky.
Defense attorneys argue an insanity or extreme emotional disturbance claim, citing a social worker who wrote Stines remained in `an active state of psychosis` and challenged the grand jury process Thursday.
Court filings detailed security video that showed Shawn `Mickey` Stines firing a gun at District Judge Kevin Mullins, who died at the scene while Stines surrendered without incident.
Cohron said the court will first hear evidence to determine whether the defendant is bailable, and if found bailable, may consider setting a bond, while prosecutors contend Stines is not entitled to bail under Kentucky's constitution.
Authorities note the lack of a disclosed motive and the shooting stunned Whitesburg, Kentucky residents; Shawn `Mickey` Stines and District Judge Kevin Mullins had known each other for years and met for lunch that day, with Stines potentially facing capital punishment.

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