The silence in Letcher County, Kentucky, remains fractured, a year after the shocking death of District Judge Kevin Mullins. Now, the daughter of the man accused of his murder has publicly confronted the relentless scrutiny of an online world dissecting her family’s pain.
Lila Stines, 18, the daughter of former Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, turned to TikTok, not to discuss the details of the case, but to challenge the burgeoning wave of online speculation and what she calls “gossip.” Her voice, raw with emotion, cut through the digital noise.
“Do you all not have anything better to do than to sit and gossip?” she demanded in a video that quickly went viral. It wasn’t a defense of her father, but a plea for privacy, a desperate attempt to reclaim a narrative spiraling beyond her control.
The accusation against her father is stark: he allegedly walked into Judge Mullins’ chambers and opened fire. Security footage, presented during preliminary hearings, reportedly shows the former sheriff drawing a weapon and shooting the judge, then firing again at close range as Mullins fell.
Lila Stines’ message was direct and unflinching. She accused those commenting on the case, particularly true-crime content creators, of exploiting her family’s tragedy for personal gain, turning their suffering into entertainment.
“You are taking my pain and making it your pleasure,” she stated, her words resonating with a chilling clarity. “You’re taking our stories and turning them into big entertainment pieces, jokes.”
Her frustration extended to those profiting from the tragedy. “Since when did that become OK?” she questioned, urging those involved to “get a job” and “do something meaningful” with their lives, contributing positively to society instead.
The video sparked a fierce debate online. Some praised Lila Stines’ courage in speaking out, while others dismissed her statement as a deflection tactic, an attempt to shield her father from accountability. The digital divide mirrored the fractured emotions within the Appalachian community.
Judge Mullins died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to Kentucky State Police. Shawn Stines has entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of first-degree murder and remains in custody, awaiting trial. The courtroom will ultimately decide his fate.
The silent video footage from the judge’s chambers, devoid of audio, paints a grim picture. It shows a man identified as Stines methodically carrying out the shooting, a scene that continues to haunt those who have viewed it. The image is a stark reminder of the violence that shattered the peace of Letcher County.
Beyond the legal proceedings, a family is grappling with unimaginable loss and public condemnation. Lila Stines’ plea is a poignant reminder that behind every headline, every case file, there are real people enduring profound pain.
