Shawn “Mickey” Stines’ departure from the Letcher County sheriff position after a long career in law enforcement was described as a retirement by one of his attorneys. She told the Associated Press Monday that his decision was not the result of any ultimatum or a concession to prosecutors’ allegations. Stines pleaded not guilty to murder. He was scheduled to be in court for a preliminary hearing Tuesday.
The move allows Gov. Andy Beshear to avoid a lengthy and rarely-invoked removal process. Even so, the search for a district judge is ongoing.
"It goes through a process where I name some, but not all, members of a group that then sends me a list of... three names," Beshear said las week. "We are in the process of naming our members to it."
State police say the preliminary investigation indicates Stines shot District Judge Kevin Mullins multiple times following an argument inside the courthouse.
