WHITESBURG, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Attorneys for former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines have filed a motion asking the judge overseeing his case to recuse himself, arguing that the judge’s impartiality could reasonably be questioned under Kentucky law. In a motion filed in Let cher Circuit Court, Stines’ defense team is requesting that Judge Christopher Cohron be disqualified from presiding over the case. The motion cites a Kentucky Revised Statute and the Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct, which require judges to step aside in cases where their impartiality may reasonably be questioned. Stines is charged in connection with the shooting death of Judge Kevin Mullins, in a case that prosecutors have described as a capital offense. According to the motion, defense attorneys point to a video from a Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health meeting held Sept. 12, 2024 — seven days before the shooting — that shows Judge Cohron and Mullins seated near one another for an extended period of time. The motion also states that Mullins’ widow appears in the video and that the meeting included both a formal session and a related social or dinner event. Defense attorneys argue the interaction was never disclosed to the parties and creates what they describe as an appearance of impropriety, given the timing and the nature of the case. The filing notes that the defense is centered on mental health, including an insanity defense and an alternative claim of extreme emotional disturbance. According to the motion, the defense argues that Judge Cohron’s professional familiarity with Mullins could influence how evidence is evaluated, particularly when it comes to mental health testimony and reports. The motion also references a bond hearing in which a mental health report from the state’s own expert was not allowed into evidence. While the defense says it is barred from discussing the contents of that report, attorneys argue that an objective observer could view the ruling as further evidence of potential bias. In the filing, defense counsel states they do not seek recusal lightly and acknowledge having known Judge Cohron professionally for years. However, they argue the high-profile nature of the case requires heightened attention to the appearance of fairness. “This is an alleged capital offense in which a judge is the shooting victim,” the motion states, adding that “the visual optics in this case must demonstrate impartiality.” The defense says the motion was filed immediately after discovering the facts cited and asks that Judge Cohron recuse himself from further proceedings. No ruling has been issued on the request. Categories: Featured, Local News, National News, News, State News Tags: capital murder case Kentucky, Christopher Cohron, judge recusal motion, Kentucky court motion, Kevin Mullins shooting, Letcher County murder case, Mickey Stines case ...read more read less