Categories: Kentucky News

Shawn Stines’ attorney says new video could help explain possible motive in deadly Letcher County shooting

WHITESBURG, Ky. (FOX 56) — Nearly eight months after Judge Kevin Mullins was shot to death in his chambers in Letcher County, a possible motive has been revealed.

An attorney for his accused murderer, former Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, said new surveillance footage helps explain why Stines pulled the trigger last September.

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In a video obtained by Fox News Digital, Mullins is seen handing his phone over to Stines—a rumored but never-before-seen event. After looking through the judge’s phone, Stines placed a call that went unanswered before allegedly standing up and shooting Mullins point-blank, which killed him.

Stines’ attorney, Jeremy Bartley, told Fox News that Stines tried to call his daughter in the judge’s chambers, but that the phone exchange had nothing to do with a relationship between her and Mullins.

In the article, Bartley claimed the former sheriff tried to contact his wife and daughter multiple times that day because he genuinely feared their lives were in danger. Bartley stated this was because of alleged threats being made toward Stines due to what he knew about events that had happened within the courthouse, according to Fox News.

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The article went on to say that he explained the main concern centers around a civil lawsuit filed by Sabrina Adkins, who was sexually assaulted by former Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Fields. Stines was named in the lawsuit as a defendant for failing to adequately supervise Fields.

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He also noted that Stines and Mullins were not good friends: “I think that their relationship was centered pretty much solely on their profession.”

Even so, Bartley claimed the alleged killing happened in the heat of the moment and was not premeditated.

FOX 56 News reached out to Bartley and prosecuting attorney Jackie Steele, but we did not hear back.

Stines has pleaded not guilty and could face the death penalty if convicted. Bartley has stated that he is planning an insanity defense for Stines, according to Fox News Digital.

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