WHITESBURG, Ky. — Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines, who has been arrested and charged with murder for the shooting death of Letcher District Judge Kevin Mullins, will not appear in court to answer the charge until next Wednesday.

Stines is accused of walking into Mullins’ office yesterday and shooting him several times, killing him. Authorities have not said what precipitated the shooting.

Mountain Top News spoke with 27th Circuit Commonwealth’s Attorney Jackie Steele, of London, who has been appointed special prosecutor in the case, due to the close relationships both Stines and Mullins have had with Letcher County officials over the years.

Steele said Stines would not be arraigned on Friday because they are waiting for a special judge to be appointed to oversee the case.

It is unclear where Stines will appear in court. Steele said the special judge will make that determination, and he could decide to hold the arraignment in Letcher County or elsewhere. However, he did say the hearing will take place over Zoom.