Kentucky sheriff who allegedly killed judge faced allegations of ignoring deputy's abuse of woman in his chambers

The sheriff who allegedly shot and killed a rural Kentucky judge in his courthouse chambers was accused in a federal lawsuit of failing to investigate allegations that one of his deputies repeatedly sexually abused a woman in the same judge's chambers. Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines has been charged with murder in the first degree in Thursday's shooting.

The preliminary investigation indicates that Stines, 43, shot District Judge Kevin Mullins multiple times following an argument inside the courthouse, according to Kentucky State Police.

Mullins, 54, who held the judgeship for 15 years, died at the scene, and Stines surrendered without incident.