FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A judge in a rural Kentucky county was shot and killed in his courthouse chambers Thursday, and the local sheriff was charged with murder in the slaying, police said.
The preliminary investigation indicates Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines shot District Judge Kevin Mullins multiple times following an argument inside the courthouse, according to Kentucky State Police. Mullins, who held the judgeship for 15 years, died at the scene, and Stines surrendered without incident.
The fatal shooting in Whitesburg sent shock waves through a tight-knit Appalachian town and county seat of government with about 1,700 residents located about 145 miles (235 kilometers) southeast of Lexington.
Lead county prosecutor Matt Butler described an outpouring of sympathy as he recused himself and his office from investigations in the shooting, citing social and family ties to Mullins.
“We all know each other here. ... Anyone from Letcher County would tell you that Judge Mullins and I married sisters and that we have children who are first cousins but act like siblings," Butler said in statement from his office. “For that reason, among others, I have already taken steps to recuse myself and my entire office.”
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said his office will collaborate with a commonwealth’s attorney in the region as special prosecutors in the criminal case.
“We will fully investigate and pursue justice,” Coleman said on social media.
Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter said he was “shocked by this act of violence” and that the court system was “shaken by this news.”
Letcher County's judge-executive signed an order closing on Friday the county courthouse where the shooting took place.
Mullins, 54, was hit multiple times in the shooting, Kentucky State Police said. Stines, 43, was charged with one count of first-degree murder. The investigation is continuing, police said.
It was unclear whether Stines had an attorney. Kentucky State Police referred inquires about Stines’ legal representation Thursday to a spokesperson who did not immediately respond by email.
Responding to the shooting, Gov. Andy Beshear said in a social media post: “There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow.”
Mullins served as a district judge in Letcher County since he was appointed by former Gov. Steve Beshear in 2009 and elected the following year.
Mullins was known for promoting substance abuse treatment for people involved in the justice system and helped hundreds of residents enter inpatient residential treatment, according to a program for a drug summit he spoke at in 2022. He also helped develop a program called Addiction Recovery Care to offer peer support services in the courthouse. The program was adopted in at least 50 counties in Kentucky.
Mullins also served as a founding member of the Responsive Effort to Support Treatment in Opioid Recovery Efforts Leadership Team.
After the shooting, several area schools were briefly placed on lockdown.
This undated photo provided by Kentucky Court of Justice shows slain District Judge Kevin Mullins. (Kentucky Court of Justice via AP)
NEW YORK (AP) — We all know the stressors: Social obligations. Family discord. Political rifts. Financial stress. And the desire to stay cheery and big-hearted throughout.
So here's a reminder about how to banish your inner perfectionist and truly enjoy the holiday season:
“It really helps to let go of some of the ‘shoulds’,” says Lynn F. Bufka, head of practice for the American Psychological Association. “Decide on the one thing that matters most, and the things that bring you the most joy, and let go of other things."
Traditions can shift and change, and the more flexible things are the easier it is for everybody, Bufka says.
“Focus your energy on creating a warm space for the people you love to gather and relax, catch up and celebrate one another. That’s literally all that matters," agrees Lauren Iannotti, editor in chief of Real Simple.
Some tips:
You could decide that conversation is your main goal, and not worry at all about the decor, says Bufka. Or if table decoration is what you love, spend your energy there and don’t worry as much about other aspects.
“Ideally, it should be about focusing on love, and that doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone,” says Bufka.
Don't hesitate to outsource some of that other stuff.
“People want to help — let them!" says Iannotti. “If you don’t LOVE cooking all those sides, or are strapped for time, there is zero shame in accepting your sister’s offer to do the stuffing. Or enlist help from the pros — support a local restaurant by ordering some catering platters.”
A potluck can be your friend.
“Have everyone bring one signature dish," says Ianotti. “You’ll save time and money on prep and cooking and your guests can show off their skills.”
“It’s OK if the house is a little messy or dinner is on the table a few minutes late," says Iannotti. “If the people you’ve invited are more interested in grading your performance than having a good time, they can take that up with their therapist to sort through.”
(They’re not, by the way — “something to maybe take up with your therapist,” she adds.)
And don't hesitate to let people help themselves, when possible. “If you don’t have time to play bartender, create a signature drink ahead of time that can serve all of your guests. You can also just leave out a few mixers so guests can serve themselves and make their own creations,” suggests Caroline Utz, editorial and strategy director at The Spruce.
Things will run well enough if you're not overseeing it all, so take care of yourself. Take breathers or walks if that helps you stay centered.
“Although mindfulness is becoming an overused term in society today, there is something of value we can take from this and apply to the holiday season,” says Brook Choulet, a concierge sports and performance psychiatrist and founder of Choulet Performance Psychiatry.
She recommends “scheduling intentional micro-breaks" to do something you enjoy.
“For example, you may schedule a phone call with a friend out of state, take a 15-minute walk outside, or even set the timer and take a 15-minute bath uninterrupted,” she said.
“If you’re worried about the polarization and getting into uncomfortable conversations, try to think about ways you can end a conversation, or shift it in another direction,” Bufka says.
She recommends preparing a few lines in advance to help end the conversation or shift it in another direction.
So, aiming for a less-than-perfect holiday season may just be the sweet spot.
New York-based writer Katherine Roth covers Lifestyles and other topics regularly for the AP.
For more AP Lifestyles stories, go to https://apnews.com/lifestyle
FILE - People take in the holiday window display at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)
A house decorated for the holidays appears in Westchester County, N.Y., on Dec. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Julia Rubin)
(AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)
