The former sheriff of Letcher County, Kentucky, pleaded not guilty to murdering a government official during an arraignment Monday.
Mickey Stines, 43, is accused of fatally shooting District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, in Mullins’ chambers on September 19.
Honorable Kevin R. Mullins.
A grand jury indicted Stines on Thursday for the single murder of a government official. Prior to the indictment, Stines pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.
During Monday’s hearing, Judge Julia Adams decided to keep Stines in jail, where he is being held without bail because of “safety concerns, security concerns” and because he is charged with a capital crime.
Mullins was shot multiple times after an argument with Stines, state police said.
Former Letcher County Kentucky Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines looks at prosecutors during a hearing at the Morgan County Courthouse in West Liberty, Kentucky, October 1, 2024.
Authorities have not publicly released a motive for the fatal shooting.
Mullins was shot multiple times in his rooms in Whitesburg and died at the scene. The attack was captured on security video, which showed Mulins crawling across the floor, looking for cover.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
