WEST LIBERTY, Ky. — In a court hearing on Tuesday involving former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, attendees learned about the motives behind the killing of District Court Judge Kevin Mullins and watched a short video of the incident. Investigators claim the shooting occurred after Stines made calls to his daughter.

The video, lasting under a minute and lacking sound, showed a man identified by authorities as Stines shooting multiple times at the judge, who was seated behind his desk, before leaving the area.

Emotional supporters of the judge were visibly affected as they witnessed the footage in court.

Stines, who pleaded not guilty last week, faces murder charges in connection with Mullins’ death. The judge was fatally shot in his private office on September 19 in the Letcher County courthouse located in Whitesburg.

Kentucky State Police Detective Clayton Stamper testified that Stines was seen using his own phone to make several calls, and then he dialed the judge’s phone just before the shooting occurred.

According to Detective Stamper’s testimony, the calls were to Stines’ daughter, and both phones have been sent to forensic examination, although the daughter’s device hasn’t been analyzed yet. He also indicated that the judge had the daughter’s number saved and called her before the incident.

Earlier that day, the two men had lunch with several others. Stamper mentioned that a witness noted Mullins had asked Stines at one point if they needed to meet privately, though the reason remains unclear. Detective Stamper also stated that investigations are ongoing and more witnesses are still being interviewed.

Stamper described Stines as “mostly calm” during his interrogation after being arrested, yet he did not specify a reason for his actions.

“Basically, all he said was, ‘treat me fair,’“ the detective recounted.

Defense attorney Jeremy Bartley inquired whether Stines mentioned anything about “protecting his family” during his arrest, to which Stamper replied that Stines supposedly remarked, “They’re trying to kidnap my wife and kid.”

Following the hearing, Bartley stated that additional information would emerge as the inquiry proceeds. He refrained from speculating regarding the shooting’s motive based on court discussions.

“I exited the hearing today with many questions still unanswered myself,” he remarked, noting that the meeting was merely a preliminary hearing. “We were hoping for more clarity on the events leading up to this.”

In his first appearance in court after being hired as Stines’ attorney last week, Bartley mentioned he hadn’t viewed the longer version of the video but believed the events preceding the incident are “just as crucial as what we witnessed.” He opined that the complete video should be reviewed as the case progresses to circuit court.

Stines appeared in last week’s video arraignment alongside a public defender as Judge Rupert Wilhoit and Commonwealth’s Attorney Jackie Steele — who, along with state Attorney General Russell Coleman, is prosecuting the case — insisted that Stines should secure legal representation.

Stines announced his retirement from the sheriff’s office on Monday. The previous week, Governor Andy Beshear had urged Stines to resign in a letter sent while he was in jail in Leslie County.

The incident causing these legal proceedings unfolded on September 19, shortly before 3 p.m. Stines reportedly surrendered at the scene and is accused of fatally shooting Mullins in his private chambers, even though other courthouse employees were present at the time. Local residents remarked that the two men were friends; Stines previously served as a bailiff in Mullins’ court for several years before becoming sheriff in 2018.

At the end of the hearing, Wilhoit approved to escalate the case to a grand jury. Stines’ upcoming court date has yet to be announced.

(This article has been updated with new information.)