Jennifer Moonsong
WCLU News Director
A small eastern Kentucky town has been turned upside down following a bizarre incident Thursday, when Letcher County Sheriff, Shawn Stines, shot District Judge Kevin Mullins in his chambers. Mullins has been the presiding judge for 15 years.
Now, new details come to light.
According to authorities, Stines was recently deposed in connection with an incident involving one of his deputies. Former Deputy Ben Fields was accused of sexually assaulting a woman, and pled guilty to charges of rape, sodomy and tampering with physical evidence. Since that time Fields has been fired for conduct unbecoming an officer, and was sentenced to six months in jail, and six years of probation.
Prior to the shooting, Stines and Mullins were arguing inside of the chambers, but about what, no one knows. Whether or not it involves the court case is purely speculation, and the incident is under investigation.
Following the shooting, Stines turned himself over to authorities without incident.
Kentucky’s Attorney General Russell Coleman says that he plans to have this incident thoroughly investigated, so that justice can be served.
This is a developing story.
