A Kentucky judge has rejected former sheriff Mickey Stines's attempt to use an insanity defense in the case of Judge Kevin Mullins's murder. Stines is accused of shooting and killing Judge Mullins in the judge's chambers last year.
Former prosecutors argued that while Stines may have shown signs of paranoia, he was not legally insane at the time of the alleged crime. To be considered legally insane, a person must not have understood the nature of their actions or known that their actions were wrong.
The judge agreed with the prosecution, calling Stines's insanity claim "frivolous." This means the case will proceed with Stines being held responsible for his actions. The trial is expected to focus on the events leading up to the shooting and Stines's mental state, but not on whether he met the legal definition of insanity. The rejection of the insanity plea is a significant development in this high-profile case.
Ex-Sheriff's Insanity Plea Rejected in Judge's Murder Case
A former Kentucky sheriff's claim of insanity has been dismissed by a judge in the suspected murder of Judge Kevin Mullins. Prosecutors argued that Mickey Stines, despite exhibiting signs of paranoia, understood his actions at the time of the shooting. The judge agreed, stating the insanity defense was "frivolous." Stines is accused of fatally shooting Judge Mullins in his chambers last year.