Kentucky sheriff hit with murder charge in slaying of judge at courthouse

A judge successful a agrarian Kentucky region was changeable and killed successful his courthouse chambers Thursday, and nan section sheriff was charged pinch murder, constabulary said.

The preliminary investigation indicates Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines changeable District Judge Kevin Mullins aggregate times pursuing an statement wrong nan courthouse, according to Kentucky State Police.

Mullins, who held nan judgeship for 15 years, died astatine nan scene, and Stines surrendered without incident

Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines is being charged pinch nan execution of Mullins pursuing an statement wrong nan courthouse, which led to aggregate shots being fired, according to Kentucky State Police. AP

Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter said he was “shocked by this enactment of violence” and that nan tribunal strategy was “shaken by this news.”

Letcher County’s judge-executive signed an bid closing nan region courthouse connected Friday.

Mullins, 54, was deed aggregate times successful nan shooting, Kentucky State Police said.

Stines, 43, was charged pinch 1 count of first-degree murder.

The investigation is continuing, constabulary said.

Responding to nan shooting, Gov. Andy Beshear said successful a societal media post: “There is acold excessively overmuch unit successful this world, and I believe location is simply a way to a amended tomorrow.”

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said his agency will collaborate pinch a commonwealth’s lawyer successful nan region arsenic typical prosecutors successful nan criminal case.