Former Letcher County Sheriff’s Defense Seeks Dismissal of Murder Indictment

WHITESBURG, Ky. (SPA) —  Attorneys representing former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines have filed a motion to dismiss the indictment charging him with first-degree murder, arguing procedural violations in grand jury proceedings prejudiced the case.

Stines, who has pleaded not guilty to the September 19, 2024, shooting of District Judge Kevin R. Mullins in the Letcher County Courthouse, maintains that the indictment should be dismissed with prejudice due to alleged misconduct by the Commonwealth (Lexington, KY)  . 

Claims of “Off-the-Record” Grand Jury Meeting

In court documents filed June 4, 2025, defense attorneys allege that prosecutors held an undocumented, or “off-the-record,” meeting with the grand jury prior to the indictment—which Kentucky law mandates be recorded  . The defense asserts that this breach of Kentucky Rule 5.16, requiring all grand jury testimony be recorded, undermines the legitimacy of the indictment unless good cause—such as a mechanical failure—can be established  .

Prosecutors counter that the unrecorded session involved only the issuance of subpoenas—not testimony—so recording was not legally required. They argue that subsequent recorded sessions, including one involving Detective Clayton Stamper, satisfied legal requirements and were fully disclosed to the defense  .

Allegations of Withheld Information and Misleading Testimony

Beyond the recording issue, the defense contends that grand jurors were denied access to critical information—including records they requested pertinent to Stines’ mental health and a pending civil lawsuit in which Stines is named—that could have influenced their deliberations  . They further argue that Detective Stamper presented “multiple misleading statements” during his grand jury testimony, thereby prejudicing the process  .

The motion requests an evidentiary hearing to substantiate these claims and seeks dismissal of the indictment with prejudice, which would bar re-indictment  . 

Prosecution’s Response and Defense Strategy

Special prosecutor Jackie Steele and Assistant Attorney General R. Ramsey Dallam have filed formal opposition, asserting that all grand jury procedures adhered to legal standards, no misleading testimony occurred, and grand jurors were equipped with sufficient evidence—including relevant records and testimony—to make an informed decision. Meanwhile, Stines’s defense attorneys have also filed a motion for a bond hearing, suggesting that the indictment, standing alone, does not establish probable cause for bondage. They are awaiting the results of a psychiatric evaluation before requesting a bond review.

Court’s Timeline 

Circuit Judge Christopher Cohron has not yet ruled on either the motion to dismiss or the bond request. Both parties have been granted until September 2, 2025, to file additional written arguments on these and other pretrial matters.

Background: On September 19, 2024, Judge Kevin R. Mullins was shot and killed in his chambers at the Letcher County Courthouse. Surveillance footage captured the incident, and Stines surrendered without incident. He was indicted in November 2024 for murder of a public official and pleaded not guilty later that month  . The motive for the shooting remains undisclosed  .

What happens next: All parties are expected back in court following the deadline for additional filings, where Judge Cohron will determine whether to set a bond hearing, allow dismissal proceedings to move forward, or schedule further evidentiary hearings.