Letcher County Sheriff Charged with Murder

The sheriff accused of killing a judge was arraigned Wednesday in Letcher County District Court.

Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 43, has been charged with first-degree murder, according to the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office.

Stines was arraigned virtually before a special Carter County judge. He is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, October 1, at 1 p.m. EST.

The Kentucky State Police are investigating the case. State Attorney Jackie Steele and Assistant Director of the Attorney General's Special Unit Ramsey Dallam will prosecute the case on behalf of the state.

The Kentucky Supreme Court's open court proceedings rule limits the amount of information the office can make public.

The charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.