Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines has been charged with murder in the shooting of District Judge Kevin Mullins in Whitesburg, Kentucky. The small town is reeling from the high-profile shooting as no motive has been publicly identified. Stines, who once worked with Mullins, surrendered at the scene and has not made any public statements since the incident. The tight-knit community of Whitesburg, with a population of around 1,800, is struggling to make sense of the tragedy. Speculation is rampant as no motive has been revealed by the police and the official arrest citation offers few details. Both Stines and Mullins were well-known figures in the town, with Stines being described as a likable and prominent member of the community. The shooting has left residents shocked and searching for answers in a town where violent crimes are rare. The situation is further complicated by an ongoing federal lawsuit involving Stines and a former deputy that was deposed just days before the shooting. Commonwealth’s Attorney Jackie Steele will be handling the case alongside Attorney General Russell Coleman as the Letcher County Commonwealth’s Attorney recused himself due to personal ties with Judge Mullins. As the community tries to cope with the tragedy, officials are urging people to avoid spreading rumors and instead focus on supporting one another during this difficult time.
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