The sheriff who is charged with the murder of a district court judge in Eastern Kentucky has now retired.Sheriff Mickey Stines pleaded not guilty last week.Stin

WHITESBURG, Ky. ( FOX 56) — A new sheriff was sworn in on Tuesday for Letcher County. Billy Jones took an oath of office before Letcher County Judge Executive Terry Adams.

The hearing was held in Carter County, which is about two hours and 30 minutes from Letcher County. Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines is accused of killing District Judge Kevin Mullins.

Stines was arrested and charged with first-degree murder on the suspicion of having gunned down District Judge Kevin Mullins in his chambers. The shooting came after an argument between the two prominent figures, according to a statement from Kentucky State Police.

The Letcher County Sheriff has resigned amid allegations that he shot and killed a district judge in the county courthouse. A letter from the Law Office of Jeremy A. Bartley states that Shawn Mickey Stines has “made the difficult decision to effect his retirement as of.

Spectators cried out in a Morgan County courtroom as surveillance video played, depicting the shooting death of District Judge Kevin Mullins.

The Letcher County community and others nationwide are left looking for answers as to what led up to it and why this tragedy happened. Here's a timeline of what we know so far.

Judge Rupert Wilhoit found probable cause during a hearing Tuesday in the case against former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines.

"I wasn't present," Clayton Stamper, lead investigator, said. "But when he was taken into custody, I was told by one of the other officers that were there that he made the comment, 'They're trying to kidnap my wife and kid.