Watch Letcher County Sheriff shoot Kentucky judge point-blank

Horrifying and horrific footage of the fatal shooting of Kentucky District Judge Kevin Mullins was shown during a court hearing for former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, who is accused of killing the judge on September 19.

According to police, Stines entered Mullins' rooms that day and opened fire, killing the 54-year-old judge. Mullins, who had served on the bench for 15 years, died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

Stines surrendered to authorities without resistance shortly after the incident and has since resigned from his position as sheriff. He pleaded not guilty to murder and is currently being held in another Kentucky county.

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Kentucky judge killed by sheriff in chambers while running for cover

During the trial, the frightening video of the shooting was played without sound to those in attendance. The footage showed a man identified as Stines enter the judge's room, pull out a gun and shoot Mullins, who was sitting at his desk. After Mullins collapsed, the gunman walked around the desk and fired again. The courtroom was visibly shaken, with some in attendance sobbing as the video played while Stines looked down and avoided eye contact.

Detective Clayton Stamper, the lead investigator on the case, testified that Stines' motive remains unclear.

Earlier that day, Stines and Mullins had met several others for lunch at a local restaurant. Stamper noted that Mullins had made a comment to Stines about needing a private meeting in his chambers.

After lunch, the two men returned to the courthouse where the shooting occurred. Stamper testified that shortly before the shooting, Sheriff Stines “used his phone to make some phone calls. He then borrows Judge Mullins' cell phone and appears to use it to call.”

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Stines reportedly attempted to contact his daughter, and police later confirmed that her number appeared in the call log on the judge's phone.

“It happened after a phone call was made,” Stamper said, although he admitted, “I don’t know what was said.”

Investigators seized the phones from Stines and Mullins and are currently having them analyzed by forensic specialists. Stines was reportedly calm when he was taken into custody.