Kentucky sheriff charged in murder of judge at courthouse

State police on Thursday arrested Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines on suspicion of shooting and killing District Judge Kevin Mullins inside his courthouse chambers. Authorities responded to reports of shots fired at about 3 p.m. on Thursday afternoon at the courthouse in Whitesburg, said state police spokesman Matt Gayheart. First responders found Mullins, 54, with multiple gunshot wounds, and the county coroner’s office pronounced him dead at the scene. Officials said Stines surrendered to police at the scene and was charged with one count of first-degree murder.

What prompted the shooting? Stines allegedly asked to speak with Mullins alone, and the two entered the judge’s office before court employees heard shots, according to the local newspaper, The Mountain Eagle. The two men reportedly had an argument before the shooting, according to Gayheart, but officials have not revealed the nature of the argument.

Who is handling the case? Commonwealth’s Attorney for Letcher County Matt Butler said Thursday that he would recuse himself and his office because Mullins was his brother-in-law. Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said Thursday that his office will work with the commonwealth’s attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit, Jackie Steele, as special prosecutors on the case. Kentucky State Police will continue the investigation.

Dig deeper: Read Christina Grube’s report about Kentucky State Police investigating a highway shooting.