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.
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’s not clear when it will 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 and 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 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.
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