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Kentucky judge shot and killed in chambers, sheriff charged with murder
A county sheriff in the US state of Kentucky has been charged with one count of murder following the fatal shooting of a district judge in his chambers.
Jerome Doraisamy
Image: Google Maps
In a statement on Thursday, 19 September (US time), Trooper Matt Gayheart, the public affairs officer for the Kentucky State Police, advised that preliminary investigations suggest that Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines “fatally shot [District Judge Kevin] Mullins following an argument inside the courthouse”.
According to The New York Times, Judge Mullins was shot and killed in his chambers, located in the Letcher County Courthouse.
Trooper Gayheart’s statement noted that the judge suffered multiple gunshot wounds, and lifesaving measures were attempted but unsuccessful. Mullins was pronounced dead at the scene by the Letcher County Coroner’s Office.
Stines, the statement continued, was taken into custody at the scene without incident and has been charged with one count of murder.
In a statement posted to X, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear wrote: “There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow.”
The state’s Attorney-General, Russell Coleman, also took to X, noting that his office will “collaborate with Commonwealth’s attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit, Jackie Steele, as special prosecutors in this case”.
“We will fully investigate and pursue justice,” the A-G wrote.
The Kentucky Court of Justice posted a statement noting it has offered its full support to law enforcement agencies.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to all those impacted by this tragic event, and our thoughts and prayers are with the community during this challenging time,” the statement said.
Kentucky’s Chief Justice, Laurance VanMeter, issued a statement on Facebook, saying he is “shocked by this act of violence, and the court system is shaken by this news”.
“My prayers are with [Judge Mullins’] family and the Letcher County community as they try to process and mourn this tragic loss,” His Honour said.
“We are committed to supporting law enforcement in their efforts and will avoid any actions that could impede their important work.”
The New York Times noted that Stines had been elected to the position of sheriff in 2018, and then re-elected in 2022, in Letcher County in Kentucky, which is home to approximately 21,500 people.
It further noted that Judge Mullins was elected by county residents in 2010.
Jerome Doraisamy
Jerome Doraisamy is the editor of Lawyers Weekly. A former lawyer, he has worked at Momentum Media as a journalist on Lawyers Weekly since February 2018, and has served as editor since March 2022. He is also the host of all five shows under The Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network, and has overseen the brand's audio medium growth from 4,000 downloads per month to over 60,000 downloads per month, making The Lawyers Weekly Show the most popular industry-specific podcast in Australia. Jerome is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of Minds Count.
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