Lexington, Kentucky, January 21, 2026
The Kentucky Supreme Court has instructed the Letcher County Circuit Court to evaluate a recusal motion for Special Judge Christopher Cohron in the murder case against former Sheriff Shawn ‘Mickey’ Stines. This case has attracted significant attention due to its high-profile nature, including allegations of misconduct related to Judge Cohron’s previous interactions with the victim, District Judge Kevin Mullins. The court emphasized the importance of judicial impartiality and directed Judge Cohron to make a ruling on the recusal request.
Lexington, Kentucky – Kentucky Supreme Court Remands Recusal Request in Shawn Stines Case
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Supreme Court has directed the Letcher County Circuit Court to address a motion seeking the recusal of Special Judge Christopher Cohron in the case of former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, who is charged with the murder of District Judge Kevin Mullins. The Supreme Court’s order, issued on January 20, 2026, requires Judge Cohron to first rule on the recusal request before the matter can be considered further by the high court.
Background of the Case
On September 19, 2024, District Judge Kevin Mullins was fatally shot in his chambers at the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg, Kentucky. Stines, then serving as sheriff, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the incident. The case has garnered significant attention due to the nature of the crime and the positions held by both the accused and the victim.
Recusal Motion Details
Stines’ defense attorneys filed a motion in December 2025, requesting Judge Cohron’s recusal from the case. The motion cited a video from a Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health Meeting, dated September 12, 2024, which showed Judge Cohron and Judge Mullins seated together for approximately two hours. The defense argued that this proximity could lead a reasonable observer to question Judge Cohron’s impartiality in the case. Additionally, the motion noted that Judge Cohron did not disclose this interaction to the parties involved, potentially leading to an appearance of impropriety.
Supreme Court’s Directive
In its order, the Kentucky Supreme Court acknowledged the ambiguity in the recusal motion, as it referenced two state laws: KRS 26A.015, which pertains to a judge’s disqualification, and KRS 26A.020, which allows a party to request the Chief Justice to appoint a special judge. The court emphasized that, regardless of the cited law, factual allegations are required when seeking a judge’s recusal. The Supreme Court remanded the matter to Judge Cohron, instructing him to review the recusal request and make a determination. If Judge Cohron denies the motion, the defense may seek further review from the Supreme Court. The order does not affect the underlying murder charge or other pretrial motions at this time.
Implications for the Legal Community
This development underscores the importance of judicial impartiality and transparency in high-profile cases. The Kentucky Supreme Court’s decision to remand the recusal request to Judge Cohron reflects a procedural approach, ensuring that the judge has the opportunity to address the concerns raised before the matter is escalated. The outcome of this motion could have significant implications for the progression of the case and the broader legal community’s understanding of recusal procedures.
Related Legal Proceedings
In related legal actions, Stines’ defense team has opposed a second mental health evaluation, arguing that an initial court-ordered evaluation has already been completed. The defense contends that additional testing would be unnecessary and duplicative. The court has not yet ruled on the Commonwealth’s motion for an additional mental health evaluation. Additionally, Stines’ attorneys have filed a motion to unseal a previously conducted psychological evaluation, stating that the results are relevant to issues anticipated for an upcoming hearing. The court has yet to address this motion as well.
Conclusion
The Kentucky Supreme Court’s recent order in the Shawn Stines case highlights the procedural steps involved in addressing recusal motions and emphasizes the necessity for judges to disclose interactions that may affect perceptions of impartiality. As the case progresses, the legal community and the public will be closely monitoring developments to ensure a fair and transparent judicial process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Kentucky Supreme Court’s recent order regarding the Shawn Stines case?
The Kentucky Supreme Court has directed the Letcher County Circuit Court to address a motion seeking the recusal of Special Judge Christopher Cohron in the case of former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, who is charged with the murder of District Judge Kevin Mullins. The Supreme Court’s order requires Judge Cohron to first rule on the recusal request before the matter can be considered further by the high court.
What is the background of the case?
On September 19, 2024, District Judge Kevin Mullins was fatally shot in his chambers at the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg, Kentucky. Stines, then serving as sheriff, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the incident. The case has garnered significant attention due to the nature of the crime and the positions held by both the accused and the victim.
What is the recusal motion about?
Stines’ defense attorneys filed a motion in December 2025, requesting Judge Cohron’s recusal from the case. The motion cited a video from a Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health Meeting, dated September 12, 2024, which showed Judge Cohron and Judge Mullins seated together for approximately two hours. The defense argued that this proximity could lead a reasonable observer to question Judge Cohron’s impartiality in the case. Additionally, the motion noted that Judge Cohron did not disclose this interaction to the parties involved, potentially leading to an appearance of impropriety.
What did the Kentucky Supreme Court’s order state?
In its order, the Kentucky Supreme Court acknowledged the ambiguity in the recusal motion, as it referenced two state laws: KRS 26A.015, which pertains to a judge’s disqualification, and KRS 26A.020, which allows a party to request the Chief Justice to appoint a special judge. The court emphasized that, regardless of the cited law, factual allegations are required when seeking a judge’s recusal. The Supreme Court remanded the matter to Judge Cohron, instructing him to review the recusal request and make a determination. If Judge Cohron denies the motion, the defense may seek further review from the Supreme Court. The order does not affect the underlying murder charge or other pretrial motions at this time.
What are the implications of this order?
This development underscores the importance of judicial impartiality and transparency in high-profile cases. The Kentucky Supreme Court’s decision to remand the recusal request to Judge Cohron reflects a procedural approach, ensuring that the judge has the opportunity to address the concerns raised before the matter is escalated. The outcome of this motion could have significant implications for the progression of the case and the broader legal community’s understanding of recusal procedures.
Are there any related legal proceedings?
In related legal actions, Stines’ defense team has opposed a second mental health evaluation, arguing that an initial court-ordered evaluation has already been completed. The defense contends that additional testing would be unnecessary and duplicative. The court has not yet ruled on the Commonwealth’s motion for an additional mental health evaluation. Additionally, Stines’ attorneys have filed a motion to unseal a previously conducted psychological evaluation, stating that the results are relevant to issues anticipated for an upcoming hearing. The court has yet to address this motion as well.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Shawn “Mickey” Stines, former Letcher County Sheriff |
| Victim | District Judge Kevin Mullins |
| Charge | First-degree murder |
| Incident Date | September 19, 2024 |
| Recusal Motion Filed | December 2025 |
| Supreme Court’s Order Date | January 20, 2026 |
| Supreme Court’s Directive | Remanded recusal request to Judge Cohron for review |
| Related Legal Actions | Opposition to second mental health evaluation; motion to unseal psychological evaluation |
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