Overview
- A special judge ruled the trial of former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines must be moved out of Letcher County because pervasive publicity and polarized local opinion would make seating an impartial jury unlikely.
- The court denied bond and ordered Stines held without bail while he awaits trial on charges that he fatally shot Letcher County district judge Kevin Mullins.
- The judge said prosecutors presented strong evidence at the bond hearing, including video that they say shows the shooting inside Mullins’ courthouse chambers, and wrote that the proof of guilt appears evident.
- The court granted the Commonwealth’s request for an additional mental-health evaluation after the defense signaled it will offer expert testimony on criminal responsibility.
- Attorneys for both sides have 15 days to propose preferred trial locations and argue their choices, and the court will set a trial date only after it picks a venue and the extra mental-health exam is completed.