The small town of Letcher County, Kentucky, was rocked by the shocking murder of District Judge Kevin D. Mullins. Regardless of the perpetrator, such a violent act would attract attention. But the location of the shooting – the judge’s office – and the suspected shooter – Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines – have left people simply speechless.

The Mountain Eagle describes the shooting and Stines’ seemingly utter clumsiness in committing the crime yesterday afternoon:

Stines is said to have entered the judge’s outer office and told court employees and others present that he needed to speak to Mullins alone. The two then went into the inner office, closed the door, and those present heard gunshots. Stines left the office with his hands raised and surrendered to police.

Stines was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

As the Courier Journal reported, Stines and Mullins were both involved in a 2022 lawsuit alleging misconduct by a deputy sheriff.

In a 2022 lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court alleging that a Letcher County deputy sheriff offered “preferential treatment in exchange for sexual favors,” Stines was listed as a defendant for “allegedly failing to properly train” the deputy sheriff, the Courier Journal previously reported.

The lawsuit says the abuse occurred in Mullins’ office, but does not say whether he was aware of it or whether he was involved in any wrongdoing. The lawsuit also alleges Stines did not “appropriately respond” to reports or suspicions.

Stines subsequently fired the deputy for “improper conduct,” the Courier Journal previously reported.

Stines was expected to testify in the case on Monday.

Mullins was appointed judge in 2009 and elected to the position the following year. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky’s Louis D. Brandeis School of Law and the University of Louisville.

Kathryn Rubino is a senior editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with tips, questions, or comments, and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @(email protected).