Former Kentucky sheriff indicted for alleged murder of a local judge

Former Kentucky sheriff Mickey Stines was indicted by a grand jury on Thursday, on one count of murder of a public official, after he allegedly fatally shot a local judge. 

Stines, who was the sheriff of Letcher County at the time, allegedly shot District Judge Kevin Mullins multiple times before surrendering at the courthouse in September. He was charged in the incident, and has pleaded not guilty.

Police have given no motive for the shooting, but video shown at a hearing last month showed a man, who officials identified as Stines, shooting Mullins while he was at his desk, and then shooting him again when Mullins was on the ground,  the Associated Press reported. 

A Kentucky State Police detective said Mullins died at the scene from the multiple gunshot wounds. The detective also claimed that Stines and Mullins met for lunch on the day of the incident, and that Stines had attempted to call his daughter on his phone and Mullins' phone before the shooting.

If convicted, Stines could face between 20 years and life in prison. He could also face the death penalty.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.