Killed at the courthouse: What we know about the sheriff accused of shooting the judge

On Sept. 19, 2024, a Kentucky sheriff walked into the judge’s chambers at the courthouse where they had worked side by side for years.

Minutes after the two men shared lunch together, Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines pulled out his gun and is accused of shooting Judge Kevin Mullins to death. The killing was captured on security cameras.

What those cameras don’t reveal is: why?

Nearly two years later, that question still has no answer. Stines has never denied pulling the trigger, but his attorneys argue he was suffering from a severe mental illness and lacked the capacity to intentionally commit murder.

Mental health evaluations continue, a trial date has not been set, and a judge is still considering whether the case should be moved.

Tonight on “Courtroom Insider,” Nate Eaton takes you inside one of the most shocking courthouse shootings in recent memory. You’ll see body-camera footage from the moments after the killing as Stines’ lifelong friends and fellow deputies struggle to understand what happened.

Their conversations reveal a man repeatedly expressing fear and paranoia—behavior those closest to him say was unlike anything they had ever witnessed.

We’ll also break down the surveillance video from inside the judge’s chambers, examine the evidence surrounding Stines’ mental state in the days leading up to the shooting, and explain where the case stands today.

Watch in the video player above.