Lawyer for former sheriff requests $50,000 bail for individual accused of murdering a Kentucky judge
In the ongoing trial of former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines, charged with the murder of District Judge Kevin Mullins, the court is currently considering bond requests and motions to dismiss.
The legal arguments for granting bond to Stines center on the defense's claim that he is not a flight risk and poses no danger to the community. They emphasize his strong community and family ties, including support from his wife and daughter, and argue that Stines has a "great respect for the law." The defense proposed a $50,000 cash or property bond as reasonable and fair.
However, the arguments against granting bond are based primarily on the nature of the charge: murder of a public official, which under Kentucky law is considered a capital offense. Prosecutors argue that under Kentucky law, bond is typically prohibited for capital offenses, and thus Stines is not legally entitled to bail. Prosecutors also contend that proper procedures were followed in the grand jury indictment process, reinforcing the gravity of the charges and the appropriateness of detention without bond pending trial.
The judge is reviewing recordings from the grand jury hearing and related motions, with a hearing scheduled for September 2, 2025, to decide on the motion to dismiss and consider bond requests. At the hearing, defense attorney Kerri Bartley argued that Stines would be "the lowest possible risk level" if released on bond pending trial.
Stines' defense attorney mentioned his family support, stating that he has a wife and daughter. Stines has been jailed since last September, following the shooting incident. A video showing the shooting incident was revealed in a previous court hearing, depicting a man identified as Stines pulling out a gun and shooting Judge Mullins.
Authorities have not yet revealed a possible motive for the Sept. 19 shooting that stunned residents of Whitesburg, a tight-knit Appalachian community. Stines and Judge Mullins had a history of knowing each other for years.
The prosecutor cited a section of the state constitution stating that prisoners are bailable by sufficient securities, unless for capital offenses when the proof is evident or the presumption great. Prosecutors have not yet filed a notice with the court regarding whether they will seek the death penalty for Stines.
No trial date has been set as of the reported date. Circuit Judge Christopher Cohron, serving as special judge in the case, has stated that he will try to expedite his ruling, and could start looking at setting a trial date once those initial matters are resolved.
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- The defense argues that Stines' strong community and family ties, including his wife and daughter, demonstrate he is not a flight risk or a danger to the community.
- In light of the murder charge against him, prosecutors argue that bond is typically prohibited for capital offenses under Kentucky law, and Stines is not legally entitled to bail.
- The judge is examining recordings from the grand jury hearing and related motions before deciding on the motion to dismiss and considering bond requests, scheduled for September 2, 2025.
- Defense attorney Kerri Bartley asserted that Stines, if released on bond, would be "the lowest possible risk level" pending trial.
- The prosecutor referred to a section of the state constitution, stating that prisoners can be bailable by sufficient securities, except for capital offenses when the proof is evident or the presumption great.
