The Kentucky sheriff accused off fatally shooting a judge in his chambers is retiring. Letcher County Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines, 43, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Kentucky District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, who authorities said was gunned down in the Letcher County Courthouse on Sept. 19, ABC reports Attorneys Jeremy Bartley and Kerri Bartley said in a letter to the Kentucky governor's office, "This decision is made, not as a result of any ultimatum or in any way as a concession to any allegations made by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Rather, Sheriff Stines has made this decision to allow for a successor to continue to protect his beloved constituents while he addresses the legal process ahead of him."
Stines could face the death penalty if convicted, according to a special judge appointed to preside over the case. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear had called on Stines to resign by Sept. 27, or the governor might start a "removal process." "Every Kentucky county needs an active and working sheriff," Beshear said. "Right now, Letcher County doesn't have an active and a working sheriff." Mullins was found with multiple gunshot wounds after a 911 caller reported shots being fired inside the courthouse, and Stines was taken into custody without incident. The shooting occurred "following an argument inside the courthouse," according to Kentucky State Police, and investigators are still searching for a motive.
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