FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Judicial Nominating Commission has put forward three nominees to fill the district judge position left vacant following the death of District Judge Kevin Mullins.

Mullins was shot and killed in his chambers on Sept. 19. Former Sheriff Shawn Mickey Stines was arrested afterward and has been charged with his murder.

The commission today named three nominees for the position. They are:

• Ashley Nicole Sturgell, of Whitesburg. Sturgell has a private practice in Whitesburg and previously was an attorney with Greg Baker Attorneys at Law.
• Michael R. Watts II, of Whitesburg. Watts is a partner with the Hatton and Watts firm in Whitesburg and serves as an assistant county attorney and assistant commonwealth’s attorney for Letcher County.
• James Nicholas Whitaker, of Jackhorn. Whitaker is an attorney with Hatton and Watts and serves as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney for Letcher County.

The three names have now been sent to Gov. Andy Beshear, who has 60 days to select one of the nominees to become the county’s next district judge.