Last year, the quiet corridors of a Kentucky courthouse were shattered by gunfire that left District Judge Kevin D. Mullins dead in his chambers. Moments after the incident, then-Sheriff Mickey Stines emerged from the judge’s office, surrendered to authorities, and claimed his family was under threat of kidnapping. This shocking accusation led to Stines' immediate arrest and has since kept him at the center of a controversial and widely publicized murder investigation.

The case has gripped the nation not only because of the rarity of a sheriff being accused of murdering a judge but also due to the slain judge’s alleged involvement in a scandalous operation. Accusations had surfaced that Judge Mullins was running a sex ring within the courthouse, where women were allegedly coerced into sexual acts in exchange for lighter sentences.

In a recent legal maneuver, Stines, pleading not guilty to the murder of Judge Mullins, and his defense team are pushing to have the death penalty removed from potential sentencing. According to local media outlet WCYB, a motion was filed citing the need for a hearing to assess whether Stines suffers from a serious intellectual disability or mental illness which could influence the court's sentencing decision.

The move by Stines’ defense team to potentially mitigate his sentencing through claims of intellectual disability or mental illness raises questions about the oversight of his mental health during his tenure as sheriff. It poses significant concerns regarding the adequacy of psychological evaluations for law enforcement officers, especially those in high-stakes roles.

As this case progresses, legal experts and the public alike are keenly watching to see how these arguments will play out in court. The defense's strategy to avoid the death penalty might not only affect the outcome of this trial but could also set a significant precedent for how mental health issues are treated in cases involving high-ranking law enforcement officials.

For more coverage on this unfolding story, follow updates via WCYB and other local news outlets. Additionally, further details on the allegations against the late Judge Mullins can be found through earlier reports and ongoing investigations into his courthouse activities.

The trial, set to begin later this year, promises to be a focal point of national interest, as it encapsulates issues of criminal justice, mental health, and the integrity of public officials all within a single legal battle.