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Letcher County residents 'in total shock' after district judge allegedly murdered by county sheriff

Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines, who also goes by the name "Shawn," is being held in the Leslie County Detention Center.
Leslie County Detention Center
Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines, who also goes by the name "Shawn," is being held in the Leslie County Detention Center.

After Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines allegedly shot District Judge Kevin Mullins to death, the manager of a popular grocery store in Letcher County is asking for prayers for all concerned. Gwen Christon is with the Isom IGA, about 12 miles from Whitesburg, where the shooting took place Thursday.

“People here that’s in the store, employees and our close customers coming in are in total shock, to be honest with you. This is a very small community, very close community and everybody knew both parties and everybody knew both families.”

Stines is charged with first-degree murder. Friday, the Letcher County Courthouse, where Mullins was fatally shot in his office, was closed.

“Both families are in our community, they’re in our schools, you know, they’re in our workplaces and all that type of thing, and both families are hurting, both families are in pain, and I really hate that.”

Stines is being held in the Leslie County Detention Center under the name of Shawn Stines.

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John McGary is a Lexington native and Navy veteran with three decades of radio, television and newspaper experience.
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