Kentucky Ex-Sheriff Faces Murder Charge in Judge’s Killing: Evidence Review Underway
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
True Crime Today
3.3 • 910 Ratings
🗓️ 22 January 2025
⏱️ 15 minutes
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Summary
During a virtual court hearing, Stines appeared silent and subdued, wearing a gray jumpsuit, while his attorneys addressed Circuit Court Judge Christopher Cohron. Defense attorney Jeremy Bartley stated that the evidence received from prosecutors is extensive and still under review. Prosecutor Jackie Steele added that additional evidence is being tested, estimating that discovery would be completed within four to six months.
The indictment against Stines stems from video footage that allegedly captured him shooting Mullins eight times during a heated exchange inside the judge’s office. The chilling video, presented during an October preliminary hearing, shows Mullins raising his hands in fear and attempting to turn away before being shot. Stines surrendered to authorities without incident shortly after the fatal confrontation and resigned as sheriff 11 days later.
The two men, described as longtime friends, reportedly had lunch together hours before the killing. While investigators have not identified a clear motive, they have suggested that a possible “sex scandal” may have influenced the crime. A grand jury formally indicted Stines on one count of murder of a public official in November 2024.
Judge Cohron, appointed as a special judge for the case, will oversee the proceedings, including future bond discussions. Bartley indicated during the hearing that the defense plans to request a bond for Stines at a later date.
If convicted, Stines could face the death penalty for the killing of Mullins, who was 54 at the time of his death. The case continues to unfold as both sides prepare for what is expected to be a lengthy legal process.
#KentuckyNews #ShawnStines #JudgeMurderCase #LegalUpdates #TrueCrime #JusticeSystem #MurderTrial
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Broadcasting live from the true crime today's studios to the world. |
| 0:06.2 | This is Murder in the Morning with Tony Brewski and Stacy Cole. |
| 0:09.8 | From the hit killers podcast, Murder in the morning. |
| 0:16.4 | We take you back to a small town in Kentucky, where a sheriff just murdered the judge. |
| 0:30.9 | That's today on As the World Turns. |
| 0:33.6 | Uh, yeah, former Lector County Sheriff Sean Mickey Steins. |
| 0:38.1 | He's accused of decidedly unprofessional acts of allegedly murdering a district judge. |
| 0:44.8 | Slightly unprofessional. |
| 0:46.7 | You know, it's like in the book that you get the book, what is it called? |
| 0:52.5 | The employee handbook. |
| 0:54.3 | Mm-hmm. It does list murdering other coworkers as unprofessional acts. |
| 1:00.6 | So he should have known better. |
| 1:02.2 | Well, now he faces a potential six-month evidence review, which, yeah, you know, that'll go quick. |
| 1:10.6 | On September 19th, 2024, the Lecter County Courthouse became the backdrop for a tragedy that would make even the most seasoned crime novelist raised a bit of an eyebrow. |
| 1:20.7 | Judge Mullets was found deceased in his office, the apparent receipt of multiple gunshot wounds. |
| 1:27.2 | The alleged perpetrator, not even alleged here, there's video of this happening. |
| 1:32.7 | Sheriff Stein, a man who presumably knew a thing or two about upholding the law, or at least he one time did. |
| 1:38.8 | The legal proceedings have now had a bit of a snag or perhaps a full-on roadblock, a volum, I can |
| 1:46.1 | ever say this word. Voluminous. Voluminous. And you know how I know this? Thank you, |
| 1:51.5 | Mabelene. Oh, voluminous. Valumines. Maybe she's born with it. Maybe it's Mabelene. |
| 1:59.6 | Voluminous.ous amount of evidence |
| 2:02.0 | was described by prosecutors. |
... |
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