A local sheriff ate lunch with a prominent district judge hours before allegedly shooting the judge in his chambers, according to a court official, who said the killing last Thursday has stunned the small community of Letcher County,

They'd been friends for years and were two well-known elected officials. So why would Letcher County's sheriff shoot its only judge in the courthouse?

A Kentucky judge whom authorities said was fatally shot by a sheriff last week was remembered Sunday as a pioneer who fought against opioid addiction and favored treatment over jail for low-level drug offenders.

They'd been friends for years and were two well-known elected officials. So why is Letcher County's sheriff charged with shooting its only judge?

A Kentucky sheriff is facing charges of first-degree murder after shooting and killing a local judge inside his chambers last week. Kentucky State Police say Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines shot District Judge Kevin Mullins several times following a short argument.

People across Kentucky paid their respects Sunday afternoon at late district court judge Kevin Mullin's funeral in Jenkins, Kentucky.

A small, tight-knit southeast Kentucky community has been reeling after their sheriff was arrested for the killing of a prominent district judge in his chambers Thursday – spurring residents to wonder what could have triggered the shooting and prompting calls for better courthouse security.