Attorneys prosecuting the Kentucky sheriff accused of gunning down a choose in his chamber have collected a “voluminous” quantity of proof that would take as much as six months to evaluation.
Ex-Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines appeared just about in court docket Friday for a standing listening to alongside his legal professionals from the Leslie County Detention Middle the place he has been holed up since his arrest.
Stines, 44, was indicted on one depend of homicide of a public official after video footage captured him aiming a gun at District Choose Kevin Mullins, 54, contained in the jurist’s workplace on Sept. 19, 2024.
The previous lawman had lunch with Mullins hours earlier than he allegedly shot his longtime pal eight occasions.
The alleged assassin – carrying a grey jumpsuit – sat silently behind his attorneys through the listening to, in line with court docket video obtained by CourtTV.
Protection Legal professional Jeremy Bartley informed Circuit Courtroom Choose Christopher Cohron that he obtained a “voluminous” quantity of proof from the prosecutors within the case, and is now reviewing it.
Cohron was appointed as particular choose for the case final month.
Prosecutor Jackie Steele mentioned the state remains to be discovering further proof within the case that would take half a yr to comb via.
“We nonetheless have some issues coming in and being examined. I might assume throughout the subsequent 4 to 6 months all discovery and testing might be full,” Steele through the listening to Friday.
Neither facet specified the kind of proof that may be used within the pending trial.
The chilling video inside Mullins’ workplace captured the 2 males in what gave the impression to be a heated dialog earlier than Stines pulled out a gun and aimed it on the choose’s head.
Mullins, who was sitting behind his desk, raised his arms in concern and tried to show away simply moments earlier than Stines allegedly fired eight rounds at him, the footage reveals.
The footage was proven to prosecutors throughout a preliminary court docket listening to in October.
Stines surrendered to officers with out incident and resigned as sheriff 11 days later.
Investigators haven’t revealed a motive behind the viral slaying, however authorities beforehand prompt a “intercourse scandal” might have contributed to the killing.
A grand jury indicted Stines in November.
Through the listening to, Bartley indicated he’ll ask for a bond for Stines at a later court docket look.
The ex-sheriff’s bond launch had been in limbo earlier than Cohron’s appointment to the case.
Stines might face the loss of life penalty if he’s discovered responsible.
With Put up wires