The recent tragic murder of Kentucky judge Kevin Mullins, allegedly at the hands of his longtime friend and Letcher County Sheriff Shawn âMickyâ Stines, has sent shockwaves through the community. The investigation into the motive behind the heinous act has taken a surprising turn, with authorities now exploring the possibility of a sex scandal.
According to reports, Sheriff Stines and Judge Mullins were seen on surveillance footage switching cellphones and engaging in a conversation before the sheriff allegedly shot the judge eight times in his own courtroom. The two men had been friends for over 20 years, with Stines even serving as Mullins’ bailiff before taking on the role of sheriff.
One potential lead in the investigation points towards a lawsuit filed by two women, one of whom accused a deputy of forcing her to have sex inside Mullins’ chambers in exchange for avoiding jail time. The deputy, Ben Fields, pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to jail time and probation. The lawsuit also implicated Sheriff Stines for failing to adequately supervise the deputy.
Despite their close relationship, there were no apparent signs of friction between Stines and Mullins before the tragic incident. The two men had previously collaborated on projects aimed at addressing drug addiction and recovery in the region, which has been heavily impacted by the opioid epidemic.
Following the shooting, Sheriff Stines surrendered to authorities and pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities not ruling out the possibility of a sex scandal as a motive for the crime.
The small town of Whitesburg, where the shooting took place, has been left reeling from the shocking events. As the community grapples with the loss of Judge Mullins and the implications of the investigation, the search for answers continues.
Sources:
– themountaineagle.com
– dailymail.co.uk
– themountaineagle.com
