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Former Kentucky sheriff who shot judge in chambers indicted for murder

Letcher County District Court Judge Kevin Mullins who held the judgeship since 2009, was hit multiple times during the shooting and died at the scene.

LETCHER COUNTY, Ky. — The former Letcher County Sheriff has been indicted for murder after shooting a judge inside his chambers in September, according to the Attorney General's Office. 

43-year-old Shawn "Mickey" Stines was indicted for one count of murder of a public official before a grand jury on Thursday in Letcher County.

According to the indictment, Stines shot and killed 54-year-old Letcher County District Court Judge Kevin Mullins.

Mullins, who held the judgeship since 2009, was hit multiple times during the shooting on Sept. 19 and died at the scene. Stines surrendered without incident.

The fatal shooting in Whitesburg sent shock waves through the tight-knit Appalachian town and county seat of government with about 1,700 residents. Whitesburg is located about 145 miles southeast of Lexington.

According to Kentucky State Police, Stines got into an argument with Mullins prior to shooting him.

During a probable cause hearing a Kentucky State Police detective was questioned for about a half-hour about what he learned before, during and after Stines shot Mullins. 

RELATED: New details revealed in court about what happened before Kentucky sheriff fatally shot judge

"I was told Sheriff Stines tried to call his daughter, and tried to call his daughter from the judge's phone also," Kentucky State Police Det. Clayton Stamper said. 

Stamper said Mullins and Stines met for lunch earlier on the day of the shooting. He said after lunch Mullins made a comment to Stines about meeting later in private in his chambers. 

When the meeting happened, Stines was seated when he asked Mullins for his phone. Stines tried to call his daughter from his phone and from Mullins' phone.

Surveillance video capturing the entire shooting was played during the hearing. A woman could be heard shrieking from the back of the courtroom as Stines was seen firing his weapon several times at Mullins.

RELATED: Kentucky sheriff charged with murder in courthouse shooting pleads not guilty, expects to lose job soon

After the first series of shots, Mullins tried to take cover behind his desk. Stines is then seen walking around and firing more shots. 

Just as Stines is about to exit the room, he stops and fires at Mullins again.

"He was mostly calm [after the shooting]," Stamper said. "I talked to him, but he didn't say anything about why this happened. He was calm. Kind of afraid. Basically all he said was, 'Treat me fair.'"

Stamper also testified that officers heard Stines say "They're trying to kidnap my wife and kid" when he was arrested.

Stamper said there is no evidence to suggest the shooting was pre-meditated.

Stines will be arraigned Nov. 25 at noon.

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