FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Supreme Court has denied a request to remove the judge presiding over the Shawn Stines murder case.

Stines is charged in the Sept. 19, 2024, shooting death of Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins.

In its ruling, the court found no evidence that Special Judge Christopher Cohron’s impartiality could reasonably be questioned, despite arguments from the defense about Cohron’s prior proximity to Mullins at a judicial meeting just days before the shooting.

The court said simply attending the same professional event and sitting near the victim does not constitute a conflict requiring recusal.

The order leaves Cohron in place to continue presiding over the case, though the defense could raise the issue again on appeal after a final judgment.

A copy of the order follows: