Judge denies bail for ex-Letcher County sheriff accused of shooting a judge on video, orders trial move

A Kentucky judge denied bail for Mickey Stines, the former sheriff of Letcher County, who is charged in connection with an incident in which he allegedly shot a judge on video. The court’s decision was issued in an order dated Tuesday, according to a report by WLKY.

The Tuesday order also approved moving Stines’ trial, a procedural change that affects the case’s timetable and location. WLKY reported that the order makes several new decisions in the case, indicating that additional matters were addressed in the same court directive.

Stines is facing criminal charges tied to the allegation that he assaulted a judge, with prosecutors using video from the incident as part of the case record. The bail denial means Stines will remain in custody while the litigation proceeds, unless a subsequent court ruling changes the detention status.

The request to move the trial suggests the court is addressing scheduling, venue, or other case-management issues that commonly arise in high-profile or heavily reported criminal matters. While the report identifies the approval to relocate the proceeding, it does not, in the information provided here, specify the destination venue or the exact new trial date.

The order’s issuance on Tuesday indicates the court is actively managing the case and resolving pending issues during the pretrial phase. For the court system and the public, the decision to deny bail and to adjust trial logistics can affect staffing needs, courtroom availability, jury administration, and the schedule for witnesses.

Because the bail decision and trial move are procedural determinations made before the case reaches trial, they do not resolve the underlying allegations. Stines’ case is expected to continue through the ordinary criminal process, including pretrial hearings and any motions addressing evidentiary questions, witness issues, and trial preparation.

The Tuesday order will govern the next steps in the case as prosecutors and the defense continue preparing for trial in the new venue and on the updated court schedule. Additional court filings and later hearings would be expected to clarify the trial’s timing and the practical arrangements for the proceeding.