A Kentucky sheriff accused of fatally shooting a judge in his chambers entered a not guilty plea on Wednesday during his first court appearance since the incident that shocked their small Appalachian community.
Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 43, appeared via video link for his arraignment on a first-degree murder charge in the death of District Judge Kevin Mullins. Stines, wearing a gray jail uniform, showed no emotion as he answered questions from the special judge overseeing the case, according to The Associated Press.
A preliminary investigation alleges that Stines shot Mullins multiple times on Sept. 19 following an argument between the two in the Letcher County courthouse, according to Kentucky State Police. The 54-year-old Mullins, who had served as judge since 2009, died at the scene, and Stines surrendered minutes later without incident, according to state police….