The town of Whitesburg is still quiet. You can feel the weight of it when you walk past the Letcher County Courthouse. It’s been over a year since the shots rang out in Judge Kevin Mullins’ chambers, but the Sheriff Mickey Stines update everyone is looking for isn't just about a court date. It’s about a community trying to figure out how two friends, men who ate lunch together just an hour before the tragedy, ended up in a room where only one walked out alive.
Honestly, the latest legal twists are enough to make your head spin. As of January 2026, the case against the former sheriff has hit several roadblocks that have left locals and legal experts frustrated. Basically, we’re looking at a high-stakes chess match where the board is a murder trial and the pieces are psychiatric evaluations and venue changes.
The Latest From the Courthouse
A few weeks ago, things got weird in court. A scheduled bond hearing for Stines ended abruptly before it even started. Special Judge Christopher Cohron told a packed room that an "undisclosed issue" had popped up and the whole thing had to be reset. He didn't say what it was. Just that they had to make sure everything was handled "correctly."
This delay came right on the heels of a massive development: Mickey Stines finally admitted to pulling the trigger.
In documents filed late in 2025, Stines’ defense team admitted he killed Judge Mullins but argued he "lacked the capacity to intend" the act. They are leaning hard into an insanity defense. They’re claiming he was in an "active state of psychosis" at the time. It’s a bold move, but in a case where the shooting was caught on a surveillance camera with no audio, the "why" is the only thing left to argue about.
Why the Insanity Defense Is So Controversial
The community is split. Some people remember Stines as the guy who led the charge against the opioid crisis. Others can’t get past the video of him walking into those chambers.
The defense recently fought to unseal a mental health evaluation from the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center (KCPC). Judge Cohron said no. He’s keeping those records under lock and key for now.
What the Defense is Saying:
- Stines was reportedly experiencing extreme paranoia.
- His legal team mentions "pre-existing conditions" that were reaching a breaking point.
- They argue he believed his family was in "imminent danger."
What the Prosecution is Saying:
- They want a second opinion from a private specialist.
- They’re pushing to move the trial out of Letcher County entirely.
- They argue that everyone in Whitesburg has already made up their mind.
The Civil Lawsuit Adding Fuel to the Fire
If the criminal case wasn't enough, Mullins’ widow, Kimberly, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit. This civil case is digging into things the criminal trial might ignore. Specifically, it mentions a sexual abuse scandal involving a former deputy, Ben Fields.
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Records show Stines was deposed in a related civil suit just three days before the shooting. The pressure from that deposition—and what it might have revealed about the courthouse culture—is a huge part of the narrative the defense is building. They want to show that Stines was a man pushed to the brink by a toxic environment.
Where the Case Stands Right Now
Right now, Shawn "Mickey" Stines is sitting in a jail cell in another county, held without bond. The "retirement" he announced shortly after his arrest is a distant memory. The governor wanted him out, and he left, but the vacancy he left behind is still felt.
The most recent Sheriff Mickey Stines update involves a motion filed by his attorneys in late December 2025 asking Judge Cohron to recuse himself. They claim he can't be impartial. If a new judge takes over now, expect even more delays.
It’s messy. It’s tragic. And for the people of Letcher County, it’s a wound that won’t stay closed.
Key Facts to Remember:
- The Charge: Murder and murder of a public official.
- The Evidence: Clear surveillance footage of the shooting (no audio).
- The Defense: Not a "whodunit" but a "whydunit" focused on mental health.
- The Potential Penalty: If convicted, Stines could face life in prison or the death penalty, though Kentucky hasn't executed anyone since 2008.
Next Steps for Following the Case
If you are tracking this trial, the most critical thing to watch for next is the ruling on the change of venue. If the trial stays in Whitesburg, the jury selection process will be an absolute nightmare. You should also keep an eye on the recusal motion against Judge Cohron; if that is granted, the entire timeline for the trial will likely shift into late 2026. For those looking at the civil side, the discovery phase of the Mullins family lawsuit is expected to wrap up by mid-summer, which could leak more details about the motive that the criminal court is currently keeping sealed.