(WYMT) – Former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines filed an expedited appeal to fight his detention without bail, shortly after a judge ruled the high-profile murder trial must be moved out of Letcher County.
The filings, entered in Letcher Circuit Court, mark the latest developments in the case against Stines, who is accused of shooting and killing Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins in his chambers.
Special Judge Christopher T. Cohron ordered on Aug. 11 that Stines be held without bail and that a change of venue is necessary due to intense local division and pervasive media coverage.
Following that ruling, Stines’ defense team filed a Notice of Expedited Bond Appeal to the Kentucky Court of Appeals on Friday, seeking to overturn the bail denial.
Court finds “proof of guilt is evident”
In his written order, Judge Cohron detailed the evidence that led to the denial of bail, including security video that reportedly shows Stines shooting Judge Mullins inside the judge’s courthouse chambers.
Stines’ defense presented testimony from his aunt, Sherri Stines, who testified that the former sheriff was under immense stress, had gone seven days without sleep, and believed his wife and daughter were in danger.
She also testified that Stines tried to call his dead grandmother on the day of the shooting.
However, Judge Cohron ruled the Commonwealth met its burden for a capital offense, finding that “the proof of guilt is evident and the presumption of guilt is great.”
Letcher County “Team” divisions force trial relocation
The court also approved the Commonwealth’s request to move the trial out of Letcher County, citing deep community divisions.
Testimony during a June hearing revealed that local residents have drawn sharp lines, dividing themselves into “Team Mickey Stines” or “Team Judge Mullins,” making it impossible to seat an impartial jury.
Judge Cohron noted that the courthouse where the crime occurred is the same building where Stines would normally report for hearings and potentially stand trial.
Attorneys have 15 days from the Aug. 11 order to suggest a new trial location.
The court also granted a prosecution request for an additional mental health evaluation of Stines.