Kentucky sheriff accused of fatally shooting judge in his chambers retiresaccording to a letter from the murder suspect’s attorney reviewed by ABC News.
Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 43, was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Kentucky District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, who authorities say was shot to death inside his office at the Letcher County Courthouse on September 19.
Stines “made the difficult decision” to retire on Mondayattorneys Jeremy Bartley and Kerri Bartley said in a letter to S. Travis Mayo, deputy counsel in the Kentucky governor’s office.
“This decision has not been made as a result of an ultimatum or as a concession to any accusation made by the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” the letter states.
“Rather, Sheriff Stines has made this decision to allow a successor to continue protecting his beloved constituents while addressing the legal process ahead,” he adds.
Stines pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charge during his first court appearance last week.
No bond was discussed during the hearing and he is expected to return to court Tuesday, ABC affiliate WTVQ in Lexington reported.
Stines could face the death penalty if convicted, according to a special judge appointed to preside over the case.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear had previously called on Stines to resign in the wake of the incident by September 27.
“Every county in Kentucky needs an active, active sheriff. At this time, Letcher County does not have an active, active sheriff,” Beshear said at an unrelated news conference last week.
Mullins was found with multiple gunshot wounds after a 911 caller reported gunshots had been fired inside the courthouse. Stines was taken into custody without incident at the courthouse, police said.
The shooting allegedly occurred “after an argument inside the courthouse.”according to Kentucky State Police, and investigators are still looking for a motive.
The two had had lunch together the day of the shooting, Letcher County Circuit Clerk Mike Watts told WTVQ.
Days before the shooting, Stines was questioned in a lawsuit alleging that he failed to investigate one of his agents who sexually assaulted a woman in Mullins’ office.
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