Kentucky sheriff's shocking link to chambers where judge Kevin Mullins was allegedly gunned down by top cop
The Kentucky court chambers where Judge Kevin Mullins was allegedly gunned down by local sheriff Mickey Stines had a dark history of sex crimes with links to both the judge and the sheriff.
A former deputy of Stines is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence after being convicted of raping former inmate inside Mullins' chamber - where he told her there were no cameras, according to WYMT Now.
The former inmate, Sabrina Adkins, claims in a federal lawsuit that she could not afford to pay for an ankle monitor and did not want to return to Letcher County Jail.
Deputy Ben Fields coerced her into performing sexual favors so she could remain under home incarceration, according to a federal lawsuit in 2022.
Sheriff Stines was named as a defendant in the case and was scheduled to make a deposition on Monday - four days before he allegedly murdered the judge.
Kentucky District Court Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was fatally shot multiple times inside his chambers on Thursday
Those chambers at the Letcher County Courthouse have dark ties to the suspected gunman, Sheriff Mickey Stine
The lawsuit claims Sheriff Stines did not 'reasonably respond' to reports or suspicions about the sexual abuse and had a 'deliberate indifference in failing to adequately train and supervise' Fields, the New York Times reports.
It is unclear from the court documents whether Mullins was aware of the sexual abuse in his office at the time or whether he was involved in any wrongdoing, but the court documents do list him as someone with information in the case.
It is also unclear whether the sexual abuse case may have been a motive in the shooting on Thursday, when Stines allegedly walked into Mullins' chambers and told staff he needed to speak to the judge alone.
He and Mullins then entered the judge's inner office, closed the door and those outside heard a number of gunshots, according to The Mountain Eagle.
Stines then walked out with his hands raised and surrendered to officers, who placed him in handcuffs at around 3pm as Kentucky State Police officers found Mullins, 54, with multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced him dead at the scene.
The sheriff is now facing first-degree murder charges, and is said to be cooperating with State Police investigating the incident, the New York Times report.
Authorities say Stines, 43, turned himself over to police following the shooting
The shooting on Thursday temporarily put the local high school on lockdown, and rattled the rural community of Whitesburg.
'This community is small in nature, and we’re all shook,' State Trooper Matt Gayheart said at an evening news conference.
He added that there were cameras inside the courthouse, and all of the witnesses to the shooting will be interviewed by police as a motive for the shooting remains unclear.
Mullins had been appointed to serve as a judge in the state's 47th district under former Gov. Steve Beshear in 2009.
He oversaw juvenile matters, city and county ordinances, misdemeanors, traffic offenses, arraignments, felony probable cause hearings, claims involving $2,500 or less, civil cases involving $5,000 or less, voluntary and involuntary mental commitments and domestic violence cases, according to a Letcher County website.
Mullins also gained recognition for his efforts to treat those with drug addiction rather than incarcerate them, starting a program in 2010 that allowed inmates with substance abuse disorders to enroll in inpatient treatment as a condition of pretrial release.
He was recently appointed to a state judicial commission on mental health and was previously an assistant commonwealth attorney for nine and a half years, focusing on drug-related offenses.
Stines, meanwhile, was elected sheriff in 2018 and reelected in 2022.
The sheriff reportedly told court employees he needed to speak with Mullins alone, and the two went into his inner office and closed the door before witnesses heard gunshots
The shooting on Thursday temporarily put the local high school on lockdown, and rattled the rural community of Whitesburg
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman indicated Thursday his office will work with Jackie Steele, the commonwealth’s attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit, as special prosecutors on the case.
'We will fully investigate and pursue justice,' he announced on social media.
The Kentucky Court of Justice has also said it is 'in contact with law enforcement agencies, including the Kentucky State Police, and are offering our full support during this difficult time.
'While the investigation is ongoing, we are committed to providing assistance in any way we can,' the court system said on social media.
'Our deepest sympathies go out to all those impacted by this tragic event, and our thoughts and prayers are with the community during this challenging time.'
Circuit and district courts, as well as the office of the circuit court clerk will remain closed on Friday following the shooting.
