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Attorneys prosecuting the Kentucky sheriff accused of gunning down a judge in his chamber have collected a “voluminous” amount of evidence that could take up to six months to review.
Ex-Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines appeared virtually in court Friday for a status hearing alongside his lawyers from the Leslie County Detention Center where he has been holed up since his arrest.
Stines, 44, was indicted on one count of murder of a public official after video footage captured him aiming a gun at District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, inside the jurist’s office on Sept. 19, 2024.
The former lawman had lunch with Mullins hours before he allegedly shot his longtime friend eight times.
The alleged murderer – wearing a gray jumpsuit – sat silently behind his attorneys during the hearing, according to court video obtained by CourtTV.
Defense Attorney Jeremy Bartley told Circuit Court Judge Christopher Cohron that he received a “voluminous” amount of evidence from the prosecutors in the case, and is now reviewing it.
Cohron was appointed as special judge for the case last month.
Prosecutor Jackie Steele said the state is still discovering additional evidence in the case that could take half a year to comb through.
“We still have some things coming in and being tested. I would think within the next four to six months all discovery and testing will be complete,” Steele during the hearing Friday.
Neither side specified the type of evidence that would be used in the pending trial.
The chilling video inside Mullins’ office captured the two men in what appeared to be a heated conversation before Stines pulled out a gun and aimed it at the judge’s head.
Mullins, who was sitting behind his desk, raised his hands in fear and attempted to turn away just moments before Stines allegedly fired eight rounds at him, the footage shows.
The footage was shown to prosecutors during a preliminary court hearing in October.
Stines surrendered to officials without incident and resigned as sheriff 11 days later.
Investigators have not revealed a motive behind the viral slaying, but authorities previously suggested a “sex scandal” may have contributed to the killing.
A grand jury indicted Stines in November.
During the hearing, Bartley indicated he will ask for a bond for Stines at a later court appearance.
The ex-sheriff’s bond release had been in limbo before Cohron’s appointment to the case.
Stines could face the death penalty if he is found guilty.
With Post wires
