Kentucky governor tells sheriff accused of fatally shooting judge to resign
The general counsel for Kentucky Gov.
The general counsel for Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear ordered the sheriff accused of gunning down a judge in his chambers to resign by the end of the week or face removal proceedings.
In a letter Wednesday, S. Travis Mayo told Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines that if he does not tender his resignation to the Letcher County judge/executive by the end of Friday he will move forward with removing him under a state law that allows governors to fire peace officers for neglect.
Stines, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the Sept. 19 shooting of District Judge Kevin Mullins, has 20 days to prepare a defense, according to the statute.
Mullins, 54, was shot multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene. Stines, 43, surrendered at the courthouse without incident.
The Letcher County Sheriff’s Office could not be reached for comment Thursday. A lawyer representing Stines in a 2022 federal civil case accusing him of failing to adequately train and supervise a deputy accused of abuse did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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