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Stines, 44, is accused of shooting and killing District Court Judge Kevin Mullins inside his chambers last September.
It was Stines’ first court appearance in months. He was transported from the Leslie County Jail to the Letcher County Courthouse to hear arguments that could shape the course of his case.
Judge Christopher Cohron heard from both sides on three key motions: to unseal Stines’ psychological evaluation, grant him bond, and dismiss his murder indictment.
Motion to set bond
The former sheriff is currently being held without bond, but his lawyer, Kerri Bartley, asked Judge Cohron to set a $50,000 cash or property bond, saying Stines is not a flight risk.
The judge said there is also a safety concern if he were to be released on bail, but Bartley said Stines wouldn’t pose a danger to himself or others.
However, the Commonwealth argued against a bond. Jackie Steele, a special prosecutor with the case, cited a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said defendants charged with a capital offense aren’t entitled to bond.
Motion to dismiss indictment
Jeremy Bartley, another lawyer for Stines, accused prosecutors of purposefully failing to record a proceeding in front of the Letcher County grand jury.
However, prosecutors argued there is no evidence they participated in misconduct and argued the motion to dismiss the indictment is “wholly without merit.”
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Motion to unseal psychological evaluation
The most recent motion filed by Stines’s counsel was a motion to unseal the former sheriff’s psychological evaluation. Counsel argued the test results would help the court understand relevant facts of the case.
Bartley previously told FOX 56 he is planning for an insanity defense.
What comes next?
Cohron didn’t make any rulings on Friday. He gave both sides until September 2 to file arguments for their case on those issues.
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