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Spradlin trial delayed again
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Stines case heading back to court after months of delays
WHITESBURG, Ky. — After a nearly six-month delay, the murder case against a former Letcher County sheriff is heading back to court.
Former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Mickey Stines is charged with murder for the Sept. 19, 2024, shooting death of Letcher District Judge Kevin Mullins in the judge’s chambers.
The parties were last in court on Dec. 18, but that hearing was abruptly canceled before it began, after defense attorneys raised questions about whether Special Judge Christopher Cohron should recuse himself from the case, due to his prior relationship with Mullins.
That was quickly followed by a motion for recusal on Dec. 29. Judge Cohron denied that motion March 6. Stines then filed an affidavit asking the Supreme Court to remove Cohron from the case, which the high could denied April 18.
With the his status now decided, Cohron has now ordered the parties to appear at the Leslie County Courthouse on June 5. In his order, the judge said he wants to receive a status update from the prosecution and defense, and he said he would consider all pending motions.
Matters still pending before the court include:
- A motion by the prosecution to move the trial out of Letcher County and not to any adjacent county. The defense has objected to this request.
- A motion by the prosecution for a second psychiatric examination of Stines, which was made after the results of the first examination, also requested by the prosecution and conducted at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center, came back.
- A motion by the defense to set bond for Stines.
The hearing will take place in Leslie County District Court at 10 a.m.
A copy of the judge’s order follows:
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