Photo: Letcher County Sheriff's Department
A sheriff in rural Kentucky is accused of fatally shooting a judge inside courthouse chambers on Thursday (September 19), the Associated Press reports.
Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines was charged with one count of first-degree murder in relation to the death of District Judge Kevin Mullins. Stines reportedly shot VanMeter multiple times after the two had an argument inside the courthouse, the Kentucky State Police Department confirmed to the AP.
Mullins, who held the judgeship for 15 years, was pronounced dead at the scene while Stines surrendered without incident. The fatal shooting shocked the small community of Whitesburg, which has about 1,700 residents.
“We all know each other here. ... Anyone from Letcher County would tell you that Judge Mullins and I married sisters and that we have children who are first cousins but act like siblings,”said lead Letcher County prosecutor Matt Butler in statement from his office obtained by the AP. “For that reason, among others, I have already taken steps to recuse myself and my entire office.”
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said his office would work with a commonwealth's attorney in the region as special prosecutors amid the ongoing criminal case against Stines.
"Following the deadly shooting in Letcher County, our Office will collaborate 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 on his X account.
