Current:Home > FinanceKentucky sheriff charged with fatally shooting a judge pleads not guilty in first court appearance -Keystone Wealth Vision
Kentucky sheriff charged with fatally shooting a judge pleads not guilty in first court appearance
View
Date:2025-04-24 10:16:34
GRAYSON, Ky. (AP) — Clad in a drab gray jail uniform, a Kentucky sheriff displayed no emotion at his first court hearing Wednesday since being accused of walking into a judge’s chambers and fatally shooting him — a tragedy that shocked and saddened their tight-knit Appalachian county.
Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 43, pleaded not guilty and quietly answered questions about his personal finances as a judge pondered whether he needed a public defender to represent him.
Stines, who is being held in another Kentucky county, appeared by video for the hearing before a special judge, who is standing in for the judge who was killed, Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins.
The sheriff stood alongside a jailer and a public defender, who entered the not guilty plea on his behalf. Stines’ expression didn’t seem to change as he answered questions from the judge.
The special judge, Carter County District Judge H. Rupert Wilhoit III, conducted the hearing from his courtroom in northeastern Kentucky. There was no discussion of a bond during the hearing, and the judge indicated that the maximum punishment in the case would be the death penalty.
It was the first time the sheriff was seen in public since the shooting, which sent shockwaves through the small town of Whitesburg near the Virginia border.
The preliminary investigation indicates Stines shot Mullins multiple times on Sept. 19 following an argument in the courthouse, according to Kentucky State Police. Mullins, 54, who held the judgeship since 2009, died at the scene, and Stines, 43, surrendered minutes later without incident. He was charged with one count of first-degree murder.
Police have not offered any details about a possible motive.
The Kentucky attorney general’s office is collaborating with a special prosecutor in the case.
Much of the hearing Wednesday revolved around Stines’ ability to pay for his own attorney.
Josh Miller, the public defender who appeared alongside Stines, said the sheriff could incur significant costs defending himself and will soon lose his job as sheriff, which Stines said pays about $115,000 annually.
Wilhoit asked Stines if he had been looking for an attorney to hire. Stines replied: “It’s kind of hard where I’m at to have contact with the people I need to.”
Miller said the cost of defending Stines could ultimately cost several hundred thousand dollars.
Wilhoit appointed Miller to defend Stines at the next hearing in October but warned Stines that the trial court could require him to pay for his own attorney.
In Letcher County, residents are struggling to cope with the courthouse shooting. Those who know the sheriff and the judge had nothing but praise for them, recalling how Mullins helped people with substance abuse disorder get treatment and how Stines led efforts to combat the opioid crisis. They worked together for years and were friends.
Mullins served as a district judge in Letcher County since he was appointed by former Gov. Steve Beshear in 2009 and elected the following year.
veryGood! (66587)
Related
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Lead-in-applesauce pouches timeline: From recalls to 22 poisoned kids in 14 states
- Autoworkers to wrap up voting on contract with General Motors Thursday in a race too close to call
- The Excerpt podcast: House passes temporary spending plan to avoid government shutdown
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Applications are now open for NEA grants to fund the arts in underserved communities
- Live updates | Palestinians in parts of southern Gaza receive notices to evacuate
- Matthew Perry’s ‘Friends’ costars reminiscence about the late actor
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Is your broadband speed slow? A Wif-Fi 7 router can help, but it won't be cheap.
Ranking
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- The Carry-On Luggage Our Shopping Editors Swear By: Amazon, Walmart, Beis and More as Low as $40
- The Israeli military has set its sights on southern Gaza. Problems loom in next phase of war
- Selling Sunset's Bre Tiesi Rates Michael B. Jordan's Bedroom Skills During Season 7 Reunion
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Thousands of California scientists strike over stalled contract talks
- House Republicans request interview with Hunter Biden ally, entertainment lawyer Kevin Morris
- US Coast Guard searches for crew member who fell from cruise ship near Puerto Rico
Recommendation
Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
An Iranian rights lawyer detained for allegedly not wearing hijab was freed on bail, husband says
Iowa teen convicted of killing Spanish teacher gets life with possibility of parole after 25 years
Nikki Haley calls for name verification in social media profiles: This is a national security threat
Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
Common passwords like 123456 and admin take less than a second to crack, research shows
House Republicans request interview with Hunter Biden ally, entertainment lawyer Kevin Morris
Taylor Swift’s Ex Joe Alwyn Makes First Public Appearance in 6 Months