Police chief arrested over brutal murder of district judge inside courthouse

An American police chief stands accused of walking into a courthouse and shooting dead a district judge in his chambers after an argument – as the Governor of Kentucky speaks out on the horror crime

An American police chief walked into a courthouse and shot and killed a district judge in his chambers after an argument, US officials have said.

Shawn Stines, the sheriff in Letcher County, Kentucky, turned himself in after the slaying of Judge Kevin Mullins. The 43-year-old has been charged with first-degree murder.

The shooting happened at about 2.55pm yesterday inside the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg, a city in southeastern Kentucky. Trooper Matt Gayheart said the sheriff was taken to a local jail and is cooperating with investigators. "This community is small in nature, and we're all shook," he said.

Judge Mullins, 54, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene, Trooper Gayheart added. The fatal shooting in Whitesburg sent shock waves through the tight-knit Appalachian town.

Lead county prosecutor Matt Butler described an outpouring of sympathy as he recused himself and his office from investigations in the shooting, citing social and family ties to Mullins.

"We all know each other here. .Anyone from Letcher County would tell you that Judge Mullins and I married sisters and that we have children who are first cousins but act like siblings," Butler said. "For that reason, among others, I have already taken steps to recuse myself and my entire office."

Responding to the shooting, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said in a social media post: "There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow." Mullins served as a district judge in Letcher County since he was appointed by former Governor Steve Beshear in 2009 and elected the following year.

The judge was known for promoting substance abuse treatment for people involved in the justice system and helped hundreds of residents enter inpatient residential treatment, according to a program for a drug summit he spoke at in 2022.

He also helped develop Addiction Recovery Care, a program offering peer support services in the courthouse. The program was adopted in at least 50 counties in Kentucky. Mullins also served as a founding member of the Responsive Effort to Support Treatment in Opioid Recovery Efforts Leadership Team.