Casey Anthony judge warns Kentucky magistrate murder highlights new reality, says he kept guard dog to be safe

The courthouse murder of Judge Kevin Mullins last Thursday highlights mounting dangers facing U.S. judges, with credible threats against the judiciary up by 185%,

Christina Coulter is a U.S. and World reporter for Fox News Digital. Email story tips to christina.coulter@fox.com.

According to the American Bar Association, credible threats of harm against judges have skyrocketed from 175 instances in 2019 to 500 in 2023. 

"Judges are facing more and more threats – violence has become the rule rather than the exception when defendants are unhappy with rulings. Most jurisdictions are unequipped in dealing with these mounting threats," said Belvin Perry, the former chief judge of Florida's Ninth Judicial Circuit, who received a slew of death threats when he presided over Casey Anthony's trial and throughout his career.