Letcher County Courthouse on security measures after September shooting

LETCHER Co., Ky.-  Letcher County Sheriff Billy Jones was appointed on October 1 after the former sheriff, Mickey Stines, retired following the shooting in September.

Stines is alleged to have shot and killed District Judge Kevin Mullins in his own chambers on Thursday, September 19. During his arraignment hearing on September 25, Stines pleaded not guilty to murder.

Since Sheriff Jones took his oath, officials have been working to transition into new leadership. The Sheriff says people in the county are still on edge and officials are working to keep everything as safe and secure as possible, saying, “It’s one way in, one way out. These are the judge’s orders. He wants all these measures taken in place and wants us to hire additional court security.”

The case has moved forward to a grand jury on the charge of murder. In a recent interview, Stines’ attorney Jsays the shooting happened in the heat of passion and said he believes the highest culpability level should be manslaughter.

Stines’ next court date has not yet been announced.