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Ex-Kentucky Sheriff Charged in Judge's Killing Battled Jail Staff Days After Shooting: Court Records
Prosecutors cite extensive local and national media coverage and community ties to both men as barriers to an impartial jury in the murder trial of former sheriff Shawn Stines.
- Commonwealth's Attorney Jackie Steele on Aug. 29 filed a petition to move Shawn 'Mickey' Stines's murder trial outside Letcher County, Kentucky, where Stines is charged with killing District Judge Kevin Mullins last September.
- With intense local debate, prosecutors argue extensive pretrial publicity and close community ties among Letcher County residents make an impartial jury unlikely in Shawn 'Mickey' Stines and District Judge Kevin Mullins's trial.
- As supporting evidence, prosecutors attached 53 pages of media coverage with comment sections, social media examples showing personal ties, and a GoFundMe page raising over $9,000 for Stines's family.
- A judge will need to rule after defense attorneys respond to the venue request, with no hearing yet scheduled; defense attorneys have signaled possible use of insanity and `extreme emotional disturbance` defenses.
- Beyond venue questions, Shawn 'Mickey' Stines faces multiple charges including abuse of public trust and could face the death penalty if convicted, increasing legal stakes.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Associated Press News
Ex-Kentucky sheriff charged in judge's killing battled jail staff days after shooting: court records
A jail document says an ex-Kentucky sheriff charged with killing a county judge remained in an active state of psychosis days after the shooting.
Commonwealth seeks change of venue in Shawn Stines trial
LETCHER COUNTY, Ky. (Court TV) — Prosecutors are asking a judge to move the murder trial of former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines out of the county where he’s accused of fatally shooting District Judge Kevin Mullins in his courthouse chambers. In a petition filed Aug. 29, Commonwealth’s Attorney Jackie Steele argued that extensive media coverage and deep community connections to both men make it impossible for Stines to receive a f…
Prosecution asks to move Stines trial - Mountain Top Media
Late District Judge Kevin Mullins and former Sheriff Mickey Stines WHITESBURG, Ky. — Prosecutors have filed a motion asking that a former Letcher County sheriff’s murder trial be held somewhere other than Letcher County or any of its surrounding counties. Shawn Mickey Stines, 44, of McRoberts, is charged with murder for shooting and killing District Judge Kevin Mullins last September. In their motion, prosecutors argue that it would be impossibl…
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