Letcher County Courthouse on security measures following September shooting

LETCHER Co., Kentucky Letcher County Sheriff Billy Jones was appointed Oct. 1 after former Sheriff Mickey Stines retired following the September shooting.

Stines allegedly shot and killed District Judge Kevin Mullins in his own office on Thursday, September 19th. At his arraignment hearing on September 25, Stines pleaded not guilty to murder.

Since Sheriff Jones took his oath, officers have been working to provide new leadership. The sheriff says people in the county are still on edge and officials are working to keep everything as safe as possible, saying, “There’s one way in, one way out.” Those are the judge’s orders. He wants all of these measures to be taken and for us to hire additional court security.”

The case was sent to a grand jury on a murder charge. In a recent interview, Stines’ attorney J said the shooting occurred in the heat of passion and said he believes the highest offense should be manslaughter.

Stines’ next court date has not yet been announced.