The Kentucky sheriff charged with shooting and killing a local judge is stepping down.

Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines decided to retire effective Monday, his attorney, Jeremy Bartley, said in a statement.

Gov. Andy Beshear called on Stines to resign last week and said if he didn’t, he would start the process of removing Stines.

However, Stines’ decision to retire “was not as a result of any ultimatum or in any way as a concession to any allegations made by the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” Bartley said.

Rather, Stines wanted to make way for a successor to be appointed in order to help protect the people of Letcher County while he deals with the charge against him, according to the statement.

There had been some question locally about getting property-tax bills sent out from Stines’ office on time with him in jail.

Stines had served the community more than 22 years, Bartley said.

“He expresses his heartfelt appreciation and love for the support this community has given him and his family during his time in service,” Bartley said.

Stines, 43, is charged with shooting Letcher District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, to death in Mullins office in the county courthouse on Sept. 15.

Police said the two longtime friends argued briefly before the shooting, but have not released information on an alleged motive.

Stines gave another officer his gun immediately after the shooting and has been in jail since. He has pleaded not guilty.

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