Too soon to elaborate on motive in Kentucky judge's murder, Gov. Beshear says

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear declined Friday to comment on the motive behind the shooting of an Eastern Kentucky judge by a sheriff.

As a former prosecutor, Beshear said at a morning news conference in Frankfort, it was not appropriate to discuss what may have led up to Thursday’s death of Letcher District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54.

The judge was shot by Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines, 43, in Mullins’ chambers, according to Kentucky State Police.

Authorities said it was a personal disagreement that led to the shooting.

Beshear said there has been a lot of discussion about possible motives online. But it’s important that law enforcement and prosecutors have time to investigate the case that has left Letcher County reeling.

“I want to make sure Kentucky State Police can conduct this investigation,” Beshear said.

Stines turned himself in to law enforcement immediately after the shooting, KSP officials have said. He has been charged with murder. Stines is being held at the Leslie County Detention Center, a staff member at the jail said Friday.

State police officials said there is video of the shooting.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman has said his office will assist Commonwealth Attorney Jackie Steele in prosecuting the case.

Letcher Commonwealth’s Attorney Matt Butler in a video posted on social media Friday said he was recusing himself, in part, because he and Mullins were friends and former brothers-in-law, formerly married to sisters.

Butler said he and Mullins were on opposite ends of the courtroom when Mullins was assistant Commonwealth’s attorney and Butler was public defender.

He said they never had a disagreement outside the courtroom.

Butler said Mullins was “witty” and fun to be around outside of court.

He said Mullins was a devoted father to his own children and a loving uncle to Butler’s children.

Butler said he also worked closely with Stines.

Butler said one of Butler’s staff members was in the judicial court suite at the time of the shooting and would likely be a witness in the case.

He said the case “was in the finest hands” with Coleman and Steele, the Commonwealth’s attorney for Laurel and Knox County and the special prosecutor in Perry County.

Butler said going forward, he would advocate for more safety in the Letcher County Courthouse, which he said is one of the last in the state that you can walk into without a metal detector or security at the front door.

“This is unacceptable in 2024. We deserve better. We should have a safer courthouse,” Butler said.

Butler said his own office is not safe and he wants to move his staff.

Butler said he would not be part of rumors or gossip and asked others to stop spreading them, too.

Kentucky Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter ordered flags at all Kentucky Court of Justice facilities be lowered to half-staff through Monday to acknowledge Mullins’ death.

The Letcher County Courthouse remained closed Friday morning, and it was not clear when it would reopen.

“The Letcher County Courthouse is temporarily closed and court operations in the county (are) on hold right now,” said Jim Hannah, a spokesman for Administrative Office of the Courts. “Those with court business will receive information by mail about when their court events will be rescheduled.”

Hannah said a temporary, retired judge will likely be appointed soon to take over Mullins’ docket. A judicial nominating committee will convene and then forward to Beshear three nominees.

The governor will then appoint one of those three nominees to serve Mullins’ remaining term.

The Letcher County Fiscal Court will likely appoint someone to head the sheriff’s department until the charges against Stines is resolved, according to those in law enforcement.

Multiple elected leaders and community members in Letcher County declined to comment Friday on the shooting. Many said they knew both men and did not want to say anything until more was known about the motivation for the shooting.

The county sheriff’s office was also closed Friday. Letcher County Judge Executive Terry Adams has not returned phone calls or emails from the Herald-Leader seeking comment.

Mullins was the judge for the 47th District Court in Letcher County, and he was first elected in 2010.

Stines was elected in 2019.