Whitesburg, Kentucky is a rural community of under 2000 residents. In many circumstances people have both personal and professional connections. Everybody knows each other. Murder is a rare occurrence. Scandalous murder shook this community.
On the afternoon of September 19th 2024, the prosecutors say that elected Sheriff Shawn M. Stines walked into the chambers of District judge Kevin Mullins for a private meeting and fired his gun several times, taking the life of Judge Mullins. The Sheriff then walked into the courtroom, laid down his gun and surrendered himself. Sheriff Shawn M. Stines is charged with first degree murder. They were friends. People say they knew them and that they were great people.
Shawn M. Stines hasn’t resigned yet, although he is in jail. All kind of rumors are flying around about possible motive. There is no official motive, but a town is full of speculations and rumors.
In the Judge’s chambers the other case took place. The sexual assault of a woman in exchange to keep that person out of jail, involving sheriff’s deputy. The sheriff Stines has been sued for his role as a Sheriff in the case. There is no indication that the sheriff was involved in sexual misconduct, but he was deposed and brought up into this lawsuit, because the deputy was under his command. There is no allegation that the Judge was involved in any of this. Allegedly, the deputy preyed on at least three different women. The deputy pled guilty to sex crime and some of the sex crimes were committed in the Judge chambers. This went on for several years and the Sheriff Mickey Stines knew or should’ve known, according to criminal defense lawyer Ned Pillersdorf who represents the woman suing the defendant.
It is reported that the Sheriff and the Judge looked each other’s cellphones. Apparently, there is a video of that. Rumor is that it has something to do with the Sheriff Stine’s 17-year-old daughter.
Sheriff Shawn ‘Mickey’ Stines pleads not guilty to first-degree murder in the shooting death of judge Kevin Mullins
Sheriff’s attorney: “I think that the timing of what occurred is certainly something that is going to be a crucial point in this case.” responding to question about federal lawsuit, because of sexual misconduct of his deputy.
The Attorney General is the one investigating that scandal in the Judge’s chambers, involving the extortion of favors by the former deputy. The deputy was offering women a way to remain on their ankle monitor in exchange for sexual favor. There were at least three women. One of those women is on recording talking. She was interviewed by the Attorney General’s office two years ago and nothing happened to the judge. The woman/criminal defendant/victim said:
– He does have some videotapes of some stuff in the judge’s chambers.
– What kind of stuff?
– Just with girls, sexual and stuff.
– What, what… Describe… Have you seen the videos?
– I’ve seen one partly and… You know… Just him having sex with girls for their bail, to be able to get out of jail.
– Who was having sex?
– Ben and just some higher-ups there. (Ben is former deputy)
– Who?
– The judge and…
– You saw the video?
– Mm-hmm. Yeah.
– What did you see on the video? I mean…
– I’ve seen Judge Mullins having sex with a girl.
– Who was the girl?
– I don’t know. Cause I don’t know a lot of people from over…
– Where was it at?
– In his office, in Judge’s chambers.
– Is that the same place that you were meeting Ben? Is that how you know it was Judge’s chambers?
– Yeah.
– And this was Judge who?
– Mullins.
– But you saw the video of the Judge?
– Yes.
– Any other videos that you actually saw?
– No.
– They say that the Sheriff Mickey Stines is involved. I don’t know.
– Who said that?
– Chad. He said he had videos with Mickey. That Mickey used to do the same thing when he was over house arrest. (when he was deputy)
There is a question – When was the camera installed in the Judge’s chambers?
