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Podcast Episode

Judge Kevin Mullins: The Silent Video and the Sheriff Who Shot Him

Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast·Moms and Mysteries Podcast·13 September 2026·52 min

About this episode

On September 19, 2024, Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins and Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines ate lunch together in Whitesburg, Kentucky, then walked back to the courthouse for a private conversation in the judge's chambers. Nearly 10 minutes later, surveillance video showed Stines pull out his gun and shoot Mullins. The video has no audio, leaving the central question unanswered: what was said in that room before the shooting? Stines surrendered at the courthouse and is charged with murder of a public official. He has pleaded not guilty. His defense is expected to focus on his mental condition in the days surrounding the killing, including reports that he had not slept, had become paranoid about his family, and appeared to be in crisis. We also address the online rumor involving Stines's daughter, why the facts do not support it, and the federal civil lawsuit involving a former deputy whose crimes had been connected to Mullins's chambers. The shooting was captured on camera. The man accused of firing the gun was identified immediately. But with no audio, a pending trial, and a motive that has not been publicly established, Kevin Mullins's family and a small Kentucky community are still waiting for answers. Get new episodes a day early and ad free at Patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Go to https://kachava.com and use code MOMS for 15% off your first order. Transform your space with pieces that hold up to real life! Join Wayfair Rewards today and get 5% back on every purchase. Head to Wayfair.com or shop the Wayfair app for all things home. Sources: Kentucky District Judge Kevin Mullins fatally shot inside a courthouse, sheriff arrested, state police say | CNN Kevin R. Mullins - Ballotpedia Kentucky Sheriff Arrested in Shooting Death of Judge - The New York Times ​​https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/274885088/kevin-russell-mullins Kentucky sheriff charged in killing of judge at courthouse | The Hill New footage in the shooting death of Kentucky judge Judge grants change of venue for former sheriff accused of killing judge Kentucky sheriff accused of killing judge in chambers appears in court | WJHL |  Wife, daughter of KY sheriff deny contact with slain judge | Lexington Herald Leader Kentucky judge shot and killed in chambers, sheriff charged with murder: Officials  Ex-sheriff indicted in judge's killing pleads not guilty at KY courthouse where shooting erupted Why was a Kentucky judge killed? So far, it remains a mystery Kentucky sheriff fatally shot a judge in courthouse chambers, officials say Ex-Letcher Co. sheriff in psychosis days after shooting judge, records say Former KY sheriff accused of killing judge asks for indictment to be dismissed CI, 24-CR-00204, COMMONWEALTH VS. STINES, SHAWN Civil suit exposes sexual exploitation in Letcher County courts Hearing reveals key details in civil case against Shawn Stines | Court TV Civil suit exposes sexual exploitation in Letcher County courts A former Kentucky sheriff who fatally shot judge was ‘losing it’ in the days before killing, friends said | CNN Chilling Detail Dropped in Sheriff Mickey Stines Judge Slaying https://www.youtube.com/live/2iZ5pQzT_qk?si=K9OhRuPyOScR1Dd4 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/19/us/sheriff-judge-shooting-kentucky.html Kentucky sheriff charged with killing judge was in ‘tense’ lawsuit testimony days before Mickey Stines' Daughter Speaks Out | Sheriff Shoots Judge Murder Case Letcher County, Kentucky | Advisory Council on Historic Preservation https://www.weku.org/the-commonwealth/2024-12-09/plaintiff-in-letcher-county-civil-suit-says-she-saw-video-of-judge-having-sex-in-his-office Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices