LETCHER COUNTY, Ky. — New details were revealed in court Tuesday about the events that led up to Kentucky Sheriff Shawn Stines fatally shooting a judge in his chambers.
Stines, who resigned Monday from his position as Letcher County sheriff, appeared in Morgan Court for a probable cause hearing. A Kentucky State Police detective was questioned for about a half-hour about what he learned before, during and after Stines shot and killed Judge Kevin Mullins on Sept. 19.
"I was told Sheriff Stines tried to call his daughter, and tried to call his daughter from the judge's phone also," Kentucky State Police Det. Clayton Stamper said.
Surveillance video capturing the entire shooting was played during the hearing. A woman could be heard shrieking from the back of the courtroom as Stines was seen firing his weapon several times at Mullins.
After the first series of shots, Mullins tried to take cover behind his desk. Stines is then seen walking around and firing more shots.
Just as Stines is about to exit the room, he stops and fires at Mullins again.
"He was mostly calm [after the shooting]," Stamper said. "I talked to him, but he didn't say anything about why this happened. He was calm. Kind of afraid. Basically all he said was, 'Treat me fair.'"
Stines is facing one count of murder. Judge Rupert Wilhoit passed the case to a grand jury following Tuesday's hearing.
During the preliminary hearing, Stamper said Mullins and Stines met for lunch earlier on the day of the shooting. He said after lunch Mullins made a comment to Stines about meeting later in private in his chambers.
When the meeting happened, Stines was seated when he asked Mullins for his phone and tried to call his daughter.
He said Stines stood up "seconds" after seeing the judge's phone and began shooting.
Stamper said the phones are with KSP's forensics lab and he is not yet aware of what was on the devices at the time of the shooting.
He said Stines' daughter has been interviewed by police about what she experienced on the day of the shooting. He phone was not seized.
Stamper also testified that officers heard Stines say "They're trying to kidnap my wife and kid" when he was arrested.
Stamper said there is no evidence to suggest the shooting was pre-meditated.
Another phone belonging to a sheriff's office employee was seized. It is believed to contain texts between the sheriff and his employees about the lunch and what was discussed.
Stines' attorney said he believes the state met the bar for a charge of first-degree manslaughter, but disagreed with the judge's ruling of murder.
"I've heard nothing that indicates this is not an example of extreme emotional disturbance," he said.
However, the defense argued because of the video evidence of the shooting, there was probable cause to keep the charge of murder, and Judge Wilhoit agreed.
Stines announced his retirement from the sheriff's office on Monday. Gov. Andy Beshear sent a letter to Stines asking for his retirement last week.
In a letter sent to Beshear’s Office, Stines’ attorney said his client’s decision was not the “result of any ultimatum or in any way as a concession to any allegations made by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.”
They add Stines’ decision is to allow for a successor to protect the “beloved constituents” in Letcher County while he awaits the legal challenges ahead.
Stines served as Sheriff for 22 years and his retirement is effective immediately.
Shooting leaves small-town shaken
Mullins, 54, who held the judgeship since 2009, was hit multiple times during the shooting and died at the scene. Stines, 43, surrendered without incident.
The fatal shooting in Whitesburg sent shock waves through the tight-knit Appalachian town and county seat of government with about 1,700 residents. Whitesburg is located about 145 miles southeast of Lexington.
The Letcher County courthouse remains closed and is still considered a crime scene.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Matt Butler, who was Mullins' brother-in-law, recused himself from the case. Attorney General Russell Coleman's office is trying the case.
The community gathered at Jenkins High School for Mullins’ funeral.
Those who knew Mullins and Stines called them friends and the county clerk even said both men were planning to have lunch hours before the fatal incident.
Police have not offered any details about a possible motive, and Stines’ arrest citation offered few additional details about the shooting.
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