WHITESBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) — A judge has declined to dismiss the murder indictment against former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, as legal proceedings continue in the case involving the 2024 shooting death of District Judge Kevin Mullins.

Stines was captured on video shooting and killing Judge Mullins on September 19, 2024, inside the judge’s chambers. During a recent hearing, Special Judge Christopher Cohron denied a motion by Stines’ attorney to throw out the indictment and also rejected a request to unseal the former sheriff’s mental-health evaluation. Stines has previously indicated plans to pursue an insanity defense.

Meanwhile, the victim’s family has filed a civil lawsuit connected to the case. Judge Mullins’ widow, Kimberly Mullins, filed the suit on behalf of herself and the couple’s two minor daughters. The lawsuit names Stines and three sheriff’s office employees Jason Eckels, Lashawna Frazier and Christine Bollingm, accusing them of contributing to the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting. The suit was filed in Letcher Circuit Court on September 18.

Judge Cohron did grant a request for a separate hearing to determine whether Stines should be released on bond. No date has been set for that hearing.