LETCHER COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Former Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines, who is accused of fatally shooting Judge Kevin Mullins, appeared via Zoom for a status hearing Friday as legal arguments about his competency evaluation took center stage. Stines is charged with killing Judge Mullins in his chambers at the Letcher County Courthouse, a case that garnered national attention after surveillance footage allegedly captured the shooting. Special Judge Christopher Cohron presided over the hearing. Stines’ attorney, Jeremy Bartley, and Commonwealth’s Attorney Jackie Steele discussed the details of Stines’ competency and criminal responsibility evaluations. Bartley requested that a doctor of their choosing be present during the evaluation of criminal responsibility, which Steele opposed. Steele expressed concerns, stating, “But now he’s saying he wants his expert there during the criminal responsibility. I’m not comfortable doing a criminal responsibility if he’s going to have an expert on that position. Unless we know what the issues are they’re raising in the criminal responsibility with their expert.” Bartley countered, saying, “Once we give notice, there’s nothing I see that requires us to produce a report before he’s evaluated.” Additionally, Stines’ legal team discussed plans to file a motion requesting a formal bond hearing. Judge Cohron indicated that he would schedule the hearing in person once the motion is officially filed. This case remains under intense scrutiny, with further updates expected as proceedings continue. Categories: Featured, Local News, News Tags: Court, Hearing, Judge, Letcher County, local news, Mullins, News, sheriff, shooting, stines