The sheriff accused of murdering the judge resigns before the hearing

LETCHER COUNTY, Ky. (Court TV) – Just hours before he is due back in court on charges of murdering a county judge, Shawn “Mickey” Stines has resigned as Letcher County sheriff, his attorneys told Court TV.

Stines is charged with the murder of Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins, who was shot to death in his chambers on Sept. 19. Stines pleaded not guilty to the charges during his first court appearance.

While he was represented by a public defender at his Sept. 25 arraignment, Stines has now retained Jeremy and Kerri Bartley as his attorneys. The Bartleys' website notes that their practice focuses primarily on personal injury cases and criminal defense.

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In a statement to Court TV, Jeremy Bartley announced that Stines had submitted his resignation effective September 30. The statement noted that Stines made the decision “not as a result of an ultimatum or in any way as a concession to the allegations made by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear demanded after the fatal shooting Stines' resignation immediately.

Stines will appear in court on Tuesday, October 1, for a preliminary hearing in the case. If convicted, he could face 20 years to life in prison. Prosecutors have not said whether they will seek the death penalty.