The small-town Kentucky sheriff who allegedly gunned down a judge in his chambers acted “in the heat of passion,” his lawyer claimed.
Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 43, is accused of pumping eight bullets into his friend Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, after he entered the judge’s chambers at the Lechter County Courthouse on September 19.
He pleaded not guilty to the murder — which shocked the small town of Whitesburg — and resigned as sheriff.
The video shows Stines pointing his gun at Mullins while his hands are huddled behind his desk — but sheriff’s attorneys insist the killing was unplanned.
‘It wasn’t something that was planned and took place in the heat of passion. For us, the highest level of guilt should be manslaughter, based on the partial defense of extreme emotional disturbance,” defense attorney Jeremy Bartley said. PEOPLE.
Sheriff Shawn ‘Mickey’ Stines (pictured), 43, is accused of pumping eight bullets into his close friend, the judge, in his chambers
Stine’s attorneys argue that the sheriff acted “in the heat of passion” and that the killing was unplanned
“We believe there had to be a compelling reason why Sheriff Stines felt he had to take action. We look forward to obtaining additional information and telling his story.”
Detectives are investigating a possible motive, but the shooting is believed to have occurred after Stines discovered his daughter’s phone number on Mullins’ phone.
CCTV footage played in court during a preliminary hearing on October 2 showed Stines checking his phone before calling the judge.
Kentucky State Police Detective Clayton Stamper testified that he was told the sheriff had attempted to contact his daughter from both devices.
As DailyMail.com exclusively reported last month, just hours before the shooting, the sheriff and the judge, who were longtime friends, shared an outdoor table at the popular Streetside Grill & Bar on Main Street, just a few hundred yards from the courthouse . .
The pair were regulars at the sports bar during lunch together and ordered their usual on that fateful Thursday – both had the $13.99 wings with salad.
Stines is accused of shooting Judge Kevin Mullins (pictured), 54, after he entered the judge’s chambers at the Lechter County Courthouse on September 19.
The video shows Stines pointing his gun at Mullins as his hands are huddled behind his desk
“I was told that the judge made a statement to Mickey about, ‘Should we meet privately in my room?’” Stamper said, according to CNN.
“While he was being taken into custody, I was told by one of the other officers that he made the comment, ‘They are trying to kidnap my wife and child.’
Police allege Stines walked into the judge’s outer office, told court staff he needed to speak to Mullins alone, and then shot him as soon as they entered the inner office.
Stines then walked outside with his hands raised and surrendered to officers, who handcuffed him. He was charged with one count of first-degree murder.
Mullins was appointed judge in the state’s 47th District in 2009 under former Gov. Steve Beshear. Stines was elected sheriff in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.
The shooting is said to have occurred after Stines discovered his daughter’s phone number in Mullins’ phone
Stines pleaded not guilty to the murder — which stunned the small town of Whitesburg — and resigned as sheriff
Police confirmed they are investigating a ‘sex scandal’ motive, among other leads in Mullins’ sensational death.
One thing Stines, who served as the 54-year-old judge’s bailiff before becoming sheriff in 2018, undoubtedly had his eye on was a civil lawsuit against one of his deputies who was convicted of rape.
The 43-year-old sheriff was accused of failing to properly train and supervise former deputy Ben Fields, who forced a woman trapped at home to have sex for favors – ironically in Judge Mullins’ chambers.
