Ex-sheriff charged in judge’s killing pleads not guilty in the same Kentucky courthouse where the fatal shooting unfolded
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Andy Rose, CNN
(CNN) — A former Kentucky sheriff accused of killing a county judge in his chambers two months ago has pleaded not guilty to one count of murder of a public official.
Monday’s arraignment was the first time defendant Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 43, was at the Letcher County Courthouse since state District Judge Kevin Mullins was shot to death in his chambers there.
Stines, shackled and wearing a baggy dark gray jail uniform, did not speak or show any emotion during the hearing. The plea was entered for him by his defense attorney, Kerri Bartley.
Kentucky sheriff killed judge in his chambers following an argument, police say. Here’s what we know
Stines, who was the county sheriff when the alleged crime unfolded, has since resigned. His replacement, Billy Jones, was in the courtroom Monday but did not speak as part of the proceedings.
The indictment, handed up Thursday by a grand jury, does not shed any new light on a possible motive for the shooting.
Stines could face the death penalty if convicted.
Stines’ preliminary hearing last month was held more than 100 miles from Letcher County because the courthouse was temporarily closed following Mullins’ killing. Because of the close community ties of both the suspect and the victim, the case is being handled by a special prosecutor and a retired judge appointed by the state.
“The defendant shall not be admitted to bond at this time,” state Judge Julia H. Adams said.
Authorities responded to the Letcher County courthouse on the afternoon of September 19 to find Mullins, 54, had suffered gunshot wounds, Kentucky State Police said at the time. Stines surrendered to authorities at the scene.
At last month’s hearing, prosecutors played surveillance footage from Mullins’ chambers that appeared to show the judge crouching behind his desk as a man identified as Stines shoots him multiple times. As Stines prepares to leave the room, he appears to see Mullins moving under his desk and fires several more shots.
Defense attorneys did not deny Stines shot Mullins but suggested he was in the midst of an “extreme emotional disturbance,” arguing a first-degree manslaughter charge would be more appropriate than murder.
Surveillance video not shown in court captured the former sheriff calling his daughter on his phone before asking to see Mullins’ phone, which the judge gave him, Kentucky State Police Det. Clayton Stamper testified at last month’s hearing.
The full video shows Stines opened fire seconds after looking at the judge’s phone, Stamper testified, noting Stines had tried to call his daughter from both phones. Phone records, Stamper said, showed calls previously had been made from the judge’s phone to Stines’ daughter.
Both men had eaten lunch with a group prior to the shooting, Stamper said. And while no witnesses observed any anger between them, witnesses told investigators about one exchange:
“I was told that the judge made a statement to Mickey about, ‘Do we need to meet private in my chambers?’” Stamper said.
CNN’s Dakin Andone contributed to this story.