12/04/2025
Shawn Stines Case Update Judge Keeps KCPC Report Sealed but Allows Bond Fight to Move Forward
Today Special Judge Christopher Cohron entered three major orders in Commonwealth of Kentucky v Shawn M Stines out of Letcher County.
First, he refused to unseal the KCPC mental health evaluation. The defense argued that this report is central to their motion to dismiss and their request for bond, but the judge said no and pointed back to his written rulings on those issues. The evaluation stays sealed.
Second, he granted an adversarial bond hearing. Before there is any talk of dollar amounts, the court will take evidence on a narrow question under the Kentucky Constitution whether Stines is even bailable at all on a capital murder charge for the killing of Judge Kevin Mullins in chambers in September two thousand twenty four, an event caught on video and already played at the preliminary hearing and grand jury. If the court decides he is bailable, then it can consider a bond. But the judge was very clear that the defense cannot use any part of the sealed KCPC report at that hearing. Bond will be about basic facts and whether the proof is strong, not about turning a sealed forensic report into a mini trial on insanity or extreme emotional disturbance.
Third, the judge denied the motion to dismiss the indictment. The defense claimed the prosecutors misled the grand jury about Stines mental state and about any connection between Judge Mullins and the federal Fields case. After walking through grand jury law, the court held that even if you accept the defense complaints on their face, the video of Stines repeatedly shooting Judge Mullins more than supports probable cause for murder. The judge found no prejudicial misconduct and no problem with how medical and jail records were subpoenaed and used, so the indictment stands.
Big picture this judge gave Stines the bond hearing he wanted but drew a very firm line. The KCPC evaluation stays sealed. Mental health defenses will have to be presented to a trial jury in the open, not used to erase the indictment and not slipped in through a sealed report at a bond hearing.
Bottom line tonight
Indictment still in place.
KCPC report still sealed.
Bond hearing coming, with the focus on the video and core facts, not spin.
Today Special Judge Christopher Cohron entered three major orders in Commonwealth of Kentucky v Shawn M Stines out of Letcher County.
First, he refused to unseal the KCPC mental health evaluation. The defense argued that this report is central to their motion to dismiss and their request for bond, but the judge said no and pointed back to his written rulings on those issues. The evaluation stays sealed.
Second, he granted an adversarial bond hearing. Before there is any talk of dollar amounts, the court will take evidence on a narrow question under the Kentucky Constitution whether Stines is even bailable at all on a capital murder charge for the killing of Judge Kevin Mullins in chambers in September two thousand twenty four, an event caught on video and already played at the preliminary hearing and grand jury. If the court decides he is bailable, then it can consider a bond. But the judge was very clear that the defense cannot use any part of the sealed KCPC report at that hearing. Bond will be about basic facts and whether the proof is strong, not about turning a sealed forensic report into a mini trial on insanity or extreme emotional disturbance.
Third, the judge denied the motion to dismiss the indictment. The defense claimed the prosecutors misled the grand jury about Stines mental state and about any connection between Judge Mullins and the federal Fields case. After walking through grand jury law, the court held that even if you accept the defense complaints on their face, the video of Stines repeatedly shooting Judge Mullins more than supports probable cause for murder. The judge found no prejudicial misconduct and no problem with how medical and jail records were subpoenaed and used, so the indictment stands.
Big picture this judge gave Stines the bond hearing he wanted but drew a very firm line. The KCPC evaluation stays sealed. Mental health defenses will have to be presented to a trial jury in the open, not used to erase the indictment and not slipped in through a sealed report at a bond hearing.
Bottom line tonight
Indictment still in place.
KCPC report still sealed.
Bond hearing coming, with the focus on the video and core facts, not spin.
