A judge refused to dismiss the murder indictment against a former Kentucky sheriff accused of gunning down a judge in his courthouse chambers, but will allow a bond hearing for the ex-lawman now jailed for more than a year, according to rulings released Thursday.
Circuit Judge Christopher Cohron said at the upcoming bond hearing, defense attorneys cannot discuss the contents of a sealed mental health evaluation of former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines. A date for the hearing was not immediately set by Cohron, who serves as special judge in the case.
Cohron said in the ruling Wednesday that “a bail hearing is not a trial rehearsal.”
In granting the defense request for the bond hearing, the judge said: “The court will first hear evidence to determine whether the defendant is bailable. If the defendant is found to be bailable, the court may then consider setting a bond.”
Stines is accused of killing District Judge Kevin Mullins in September 2024 at the courthouse in Whitesburg. Security camera footage from Mullins’ chambers showed a man police identified as Stines pointing a gun and firing at Mullins. Mullins died at the scene and Stines, who was sheriff at the time, surrendered without incident.
Stines has pleaded not guilty to one count of murder of a public official.
Whether bond is justified for the former sheriff has been an ongoing issue. In August, defense attorneys recommended a $50,000 bond, saying Stines is not a flight risk and poses no danger to himself or the community. Prosecutors have responded that Stines is not entitled to a bond, citing a section of Kentucky’s constitution that says the right to bail doesn’t apply to people charged with a capital offense.
Stines resigned as sheriff days after the shooting and has been held without bond.
Stines could potentially face the death penalty if convicted, but prosecutors haven’t yet filed notice with the court on whether they will seek the death penalty.
Source: AP
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