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Video of Kentucky judge being shot to death shown at hearing for ex-sheriff charged in his murder
Video showing a Kentucky judge being gunned down in his chambers was played Tuesday during a court hearing for the ex-sheriff who is charged in the killing that stunned their Appalachian community.
The short video clip was presented by prosecutors during the preliminary hearing for Shawn “Mickey” Stines, the former sheriff of Letcher County who is accused of fatally shooting District Judge Kevin Mullins on Sept. 19. Stines allegedly entered Mullins chambers at the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg and opened fire, police say.
Mullins, 54, who held the judgeship for 15 years, died at the scene, and Stines, 43, surrendered without incident. Stines stepped down as sheriff Monday.
The video, with no audio, showed a man identified by police as Stines pulling out a gun and shooting the judge as he sat at his desk. The man walked around the desk, pointed the gun at the judge — who had fallen to the floor — and fired again, it showed. Some people in the courtroom gallery sobbed as the video was played, while Stines looked down.
Mullins died from multiple gunshot wounds, Kentucky State Police Detective Clayton Stamper testified Tuesday. Stines pleaded not guilty to murder last week and is being held in another Kentucky county.
Timothy D. Easley / AP
Stines allegedly killed Mullins after an argument, Kentucky State Police spokesperson Matt Gayheart said after the shooting. Police did not reveal the nature of the argument.
“We know that it was an argument between the two that led up, but what exactly transpired prior to the shots being fired, that’s still things that we’re trying to get answers to,” Gayheart said at the time. He told reporters following the judge’s death that the shooting was an isolated incident.
Police have given no motive for the shooting involving two prominent members of the county near the Virginia border, but Stines’ defense team delved into what occurred beforehand — first when Stines and Mullins met for lunch that day and then in the moments before the gunfire.
Stamper, the lead police investigator in the case, said he reviewed video that showed Mullins’ chambers right before the shooting — a segment not played at the hearing.
Asked to describe what he saw, Stamper replied: “Sheriff Stines uses his telephone to make some phone calls. He then borrows Judge Mullins’ cellphone and appears to make a call on that.”
Stamper said he was told Stines had tried to call his daughter on his phone and the judge’s phone. He said police confirmed Stines’ daughter’s phone number was on the judge’s phone.
As for Stines’ reaction when he looked at the judge’s cellphone, Stamper said Stines’ face wasn’t shown in the video. The judge’s phone was found later on his desk and Stines’ phone was with him when he was arrested, Stamper said.
Investigators have found nothing to indicate the shooting was planned, the detective testified.
“It occurred after a phone call was made,” Stamper said later. “I don’t know what was said.”
Asked if the shooting was the result of recent content found on the phone, Stamper replied: “It could be, but I don’t know that for a fact.”
Both phones are being downloaded at a police forensics lab, he said.
When asked if he was aware of any prior issues, personal or professional, between the ex-sheriff and the judge, Stamper said he “heard things” regarding a lawsuit involving the sheriff’s office.
Timothy D. Easley / AP
Stines had been deposed in a lawsuit filed by two women, one of whom alleged a deputy sheriff forced her to have sex inside Mullins’ chambers for six months in exchange for staying out of jail. The suit accuses the now-former sheriff of “deliberate indifference in failing to adequately train and supervise” the deputy.
The now-former deputy sheriff, Ben Fields, pleaded guilty to raping the female prisoner while she was on home incarceration. He was sentenced this year to six months in jail followed by six and half years on probation for rape, sodomy, perjury and tampering with a prisoner monitoring device, The Mountain Eagle reported. Three additional charges related to a second woman were dismissed because she is dead.
Stines fired Fields, his successor as Mullins’ bailiff, for “conduct unbecoming” after the lawsuit was filed in 2022, The Courier Journal reported at the time.
Other details about the events before and after the judge’s shooting death emerged during the hearing.
Police investigators found no weapon on Mullins or in his chambers, Stamper said.
On the day of the shooting, Mullins and Stines met for lunch with several other people at a restaurant near the courthouse in Whitesburg, the detective said.
“I was told that the judge made a statement to Mickey about, ‘Do we need to meet private in my chambers?'” Stamper said, adding that he didn’t know what it was about.
A handful of people were in a room next to Mullins’ chambers when the shots rang out. Stines was in custody by the time he arrived at the courthouse, Stamper said.
“He was mostly calm, I thought,” Stamper said. “I talked to him but he didn’t say nothing about why this had happened. But he was calm. … Basically all he said was ‘treat me fair.'”
Timothy D. Easley / AP
At the end of the hearing, Judge Rupert Wilhoit III determined probable cause exists to believe Stines committed the crime, allowing the case to go to a grand jury to decide whether to indict Stines.
Stines’ defense team said they left the hearing with more questions than answers and said they are conducting their own “parallel investigation” of the case.
If convicted of murder, Stines could serve 20 years to life in prison. Since he’s accused of killing a public official, he could potentially face the death penalty.
Eight people have died in Rwanda from the highly contagious Marburg virus just days after the country declared an outbreak of the deadly hemorrhagic fever that has no authorized vaccine or treatment.
So far 26 cases have been confirmed in the country, health minister Sabin Nsanzimana said Sunday.
“Marburg is a rare disease,” Nsanzimana told journalists. “We are intensifying contact tracing and testing to help stop the spread.”
He said the source of the disease has not been determined yet.
Previous Marburg cases and outbreaks have been recorded in Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Congo, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda and Ghana, according to the World Health Organization.
Here’s what else to know about the disease.
What causes Marburg virus?
Like Ebola, the Marburg virus originates in fruit bats. It can spread between people through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or with surfaces, such as contaminated bed sheets, clothing, needles or medical equipment.
The World Health Organization notes that Marburg virus does not spread through the air.
The rare virus was first identified in 1967 after it caused simultaneous outbreaks of disease in laboratories in Marburg, Germany, and Belgrade, Serbia. Seven people died who were exposed to the virus while conducting research on monkeys.
Marburg virus symptoms
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of Marburg virus include:
- fever
- chills
- headache
- muscle pain
- rash
- chest pain
- sore throat
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- unexplained bleeding or bruising
“In later stages of the disease, bleeding from various sites such as the gums, nose and anus can occur. Patients can suffer shock, delirium and organ failure,” WHO says.
Without treatment, Marburg can be fatal in up to 88% of people who fall ill with the disease. There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments specifically for this virus.
A person infected with the virus can take between three days and three weeks to show symptoms, Nsanzimana added.
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Credit card debt has become an increasingly troubling issue for many Americans. With inflation driving up the cost of consumer goods over the last few years, the reliance on plastic for everyday purchases has been growing and that has caused credit card debt to balloon nationwide. That’s not the only issue, either. Credit cards also come with some of the highest borrowing rates around, so if you’re carrying a balance, the interest costs can add up quickly, making it difficult to pay down your debt.
That problem is even more pronounced today, as credit card interest rates are hovering at a record high of nearly 23%. That’s despite the Federal Reserve’s recent rate cut having a positive impact on other types of borrowing products. While mortgage and home equity loan rates fell after the Fed’s rate cut last month, credit card rates have stubbornly remained high, making it difficult for cardholders to make progress on their debt. And when you add in other economic pressures that are looming, it becomes even harder for those carrying balances to get ahead.
So, if you’re struggling to make your credit card payments this October, you’re not alone. Many cardholders are facing similar issues, but missed payments still have serious ramifications, including damage to your credit score, late fees and higher interest charges. Before you let the situation spiral, though, you should know that there are several options available to help you avoid financial disaster.
Looking for help with your credit card debt? Compare your debt relief options here.
What to do if you can’t pay your credit card bills this October
If you’re worried about missing your credit card payments this month, these options could be worth considering:
Work with your card issuer directly
One of the first steps you can take if you’re unable to make a payment is to contact your card issuer directly. Many card companies are willing to work with customers who are experiencing financial hardship. For example, they may offer temporary relief through a hardship program, which can involve reducing your interest rate, waiving fees or setting up a manageable payment plan. But it’s important to reach out as soon as you realize you can’t make the payment. Waiting until after you’ve missed one can make it harder to secure a favorable arrangement.
By enrolling in a hardship program through your card issuer, you may be able to pause or reduce your payments for a set period while keeping your account in good standing. This can prevent further damage to your credit score and help you get back on your feet. Just be sure to ask about all the terms of the agreement before committing so you fully understand any potential impacts on your credit or future account status.
Explore the debt relief programs available to you here.
Consider a debt relief program
If working directly with your card issuer won’t provide enough assistance, you might want to consider a debt relief program instead. Debt relief companies offer a variety of services, including debt consolidation programs. This type of program typically involves taking out a loan through the debt relief company’s third-party partner lender to pay off your credit card balances, leaving you with just one monthly payment at a lower interest rate.
Debt forgiveness programs can also be an option. These programs work by negotiating with your creditors to reduce the total amount you owe and enrolling in one could reduce your balance by 30% to 50% or more in some cases. However, this option can also have a significant impact on your credit score and you could owe taxes on the forgiven portion of your balance — so be sure to do your homework before enrolling.
Seek help from a credit counseling agency
Working with a credit counseling agency might also be worth considering. Credit counseling agencies can provide free or low-cost advice on how to manage your debt and may offer debt management programs that you can enroll in, too.
When you enroll in a debt management program, the credit counseling agency works with your creditors to try and lower your interest rates and create a repayment plan that fits your budget. You’ll make one monthly payment to the agency, which will then distribute the funds to your creditors. This can simplify the repayment process and often results in lower interest charges and faster debt payoff.
Credit counseling agencies can also help you develop a long-term financial plan to avoid falling into the same cycle of debt in the future. Just be sure to choose a reputable agency that is accredited by a recognized organization to ensure you’re receiving reliable assistance.
The bottom line
Missing a credit card payment can be a significant financial setback, but it doesn’t have to lead to long-term consequences — and in many cases, you could have other options to consider before it happens. Whether you choose to work directly with your card issuer, enroll in a debt relief program, consolidate your debt or seek credit counseling, utilizing the help available to you could mean regaining control of your finances and getting things back on track. The key is to take action early and explore all your options to find the right one for you.
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After waiting years for an interest rate cut, borrowers finally got some relief in September when the Federal Reserve finally cut its federal funds rate. The reduction, the first since 2020, brought the rate to a range between 4.75% and 5%. Other rate cuts are possible now, too, as the Fed is set to meet again in November and December. This is great news for those looking for mortgages and personal loans. And it could lead to some minor relief for credit card users as well, as rates on that product are hovering near a record 23%.
But what about savers?
Those who have opened certificates of deposit (CDs) and high-yield savings accounts secured interest rates exponentially higher than they were in 2020 and 2021, making them a smart way to earn big returns. With the rate climate evolving again, however, some may be wondering about the benefits of opening one of these accounts now. One of the best ways to determine the worth of an account is by calculating the interest you stand to earn now that rates have been cut. And it’s simple to do so with a CD, which has a fixed interest rate that will remain the same until the account has matured. So, how much will a $5,000 CD earn now that rates are cut? That’s what we’ll calculate below.
See how much more you could be earning on your money with a top CD here.
How much will a $5,000 CD earn now that rates are cut?
While CD rates aren’t immune from broader rate changes, they haven’t dropped dramatically either. It’s important to remember that rate hikes were issued gradually over an extended period. Rate cuts and, thus, rate drops on interest-earning savings accounts, will occur gradually, too. Plus, the rates lenders offer savers aren’t precisely affected by the same increments in which rate hikes (or cuts) are issued.
That being noted, here’s how much savers can expect to earn on a $5,000 CD now, timed to some readily available rates and terms:
- 6-month CD at 5.10%: $125.91 for a total of $5,125.91
- 1-year CD at 4.75%: $237.50 for a total of $5,237.50
- 18-month CD at 4.40%: $333.60 for a total of $5,333.60
- 2-year CD at 4.20%: $428.82 for a total of $5,428.82
- 3-year CD at 4.20%: $656.83 for a total of $5,656.83
- 5-year CD at 4.35%: $1,186.32 for a total of $6,186.32
As can be seen from these figures, rates on CDs are still high and valuable for savers. In a direct reversal from historic trends, rates on short terms are generally higher than long-term options, even post-September rate cut. But if you’re looking to make the most money possible, long-term CDs are the way to do so. So crunch the numbers and start shopping around to find the highest rate and best term possible to lock in now before additional rate cuts are issued.
Get started with a CD here now.
The bottom line
Interest rate cuts, while welcome for borrowers, will inevitably eat into what savers can earn with accounts like CDs. But that doesn’t mean that rates on these accounts have declined dramatically yet, either. Instead, with a $5,000 deposit into the right CD, savers could potentially earn hundreds and possibly thousands of dollars on their money. And that return will be guaranteed, even if rates fall during the CD’s term. Just be careful to only deposit an amount that you’re comfortable leaving in the account for the full term or you’ll risk having to pay an early withdrawal penalty to regain access to your money.