(NewsNation) — An attorney for former Kentucky Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, who is accused of killing a judge in his own chambers in 2024, is elaborating on his client’s state of mind at the time. Now, there are reports claiming an insanity defense is in the works.
Stines has been charged with the September murder of 54-year-old District Judge Kevin Mullins — a killing that was recorded on video and stunned the tight-knit Appalachian community.
Mickey Stines case: Where it stands now
Stines has been in jail since the killing of Mullins. In his most recent hearing on Jan. 17, prosecutor Jackie Steele said testing and the discovery process would take four to six months, according to the Louisville Courier Journal.
He has pleaded not guilty, but a court filing shows that Stines’ legal team is planning an insanity defense, according to NewsNation affiliate WATE.
Defense attorney Jeremy Bartley appeared on NewsNation’s “Banfield” on Wednesday and said from the beginning, he has considered legal strategies for his client ranging from “classic EED,” or extreme emotional distress, to an insanity defense that would remove criminal responsibility.
Mickey Stines attorney: ‘He was in fear for the safety’ of his family
Bartley said Stines’ alleged actions hinge on testimony he offered at a deposition earlier in the week of the shooting, in which the sheriff was asked questions about a deputy’s sexual coercion of jail inmates.
A former inmate who said she was victimized claimed the misconduct was wider in scope, and Bartley said Stines was afraid that he or his family could be targeted by parties involved in that civil case.
“Ultimately, he was in fear for the safety of his wife and his daughter, and I think what you see there is the result of that,” the defense attorney said. “His mental health” was affected by the fear.
NewsNation exclusively obtained audio recordings in December that could tie Mullins to a sex-for-favors scandal.
“He does have some videotapes of some stuff in the judge’s chambers… just with girls, sexual and stuff,” said Sabrina Adkins, who has spoken publicly about her claims of former Deputy Sheriff Ben Fields using his position of power to pressure her and other women to have sex in exchange for favorable treatment.
The deputy sheriff accused of pressuring inmates for sexual favors pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months in jail and more than six years of probation. He was fired by Stine.