Newly released footage has revealed the chilling moments leading up to the alleged murder of Kentucky Judge Kevin Mullins — shot in his own chambers by none other than his longtime friend, Sheriff Joseph Stines.
The incident took place on September 19, 2024, just after the two had reportedly shared a casual lunch. In the footage, Sheriff Stines is seen calmly entering Mullins’ office before allegedly ordering others to leave the room. Moments later, gunshots were heard.
Judge Mullins, a well-respected figure in the local legal community, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Stines has since been charged with first-degree murder. While the motive remains unclear, his defense team has indicated they will pursue an insanity defense, suggesting possible mental health issues played a role in the tragic act.
The case has rocked the state’s legal and law enforcement circles, with many stunned that a decades-long friendship could end in such a violent and public betrayal.
As the trial approaches, questions continue to swirl: Was this premeditated? What drove the sheriff to turn on a friend? And can justice truly be served in a case where loyalty, law, and life collided so fatally?