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Kentucky Sheriff Guns Down Judge in His Courthouse Chambers
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A Kentucky sheriff shot and killed a judge in his chambers at the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg Thursday afternoon and then walked out and surrendered to police.

The Mountain Eagle said the Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines came into Letcher District Judge Kevin D. Mullins’ outer office at about 3 p.m. amd told court employees and others gathered there that he needed to speak with Mullins privately.

Mullins and Stines walked into his private chambers and closed the door. Those who remained in the outer officer said they heard gunshots before Stines walked out with his hands up and surrendered.

Kentucky State Police later confirmed the judge’s death and said that Stines had been charged with first degree murder. Officials have not described a motive, although social media commenters have been wildly speculating.

Kentucky State Police and Letcher County Coroner Perry Fowler were still on the scene at 5 p.m. investigating, and officials expected them to be there for several more hours, the Mountain Eagle said.

Stines was seen in handcuffs in the courthouse foyers.

Officials have not confirmed any of the information collected by the Mountain Eagle, but Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he had been told that a judge was the victim in the shooting.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman posted a statement to social media saying that his office would work “with Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit Jackie Steele as special prosecutors in this case.”

“We will fully investigate and pursue justice,” Coleman wrote.

According to WKYT, Mullins was an assistant commonwealth attorney before then-Gov. Steve Beshear, the current governor’s father, appointed him to the bench in 2009. He was elected to the post the following year. Stines was elected Letcher County’s sheriff in 2018 and reelected in 2022.

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[Featured image: Mickey Stines/Letcher County Sheriff’s Office and Kevin D. Mullins/47th Judicial District]