Kentucky sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the shooting death of Judge Kevin Mullins, which shocked Letcher County.

Stines, 43, remains jailed without bond, and a motive for the killing is still unclear.

The arraignment was held remotely, with Stines requesting a court-appointed attorney, despite earning $115,000 annually.

The preliminary hearing is set for October 1. Stines and Mullins had lunch hours before the shooting.

The community is devastated by the loss of both its sheriff and judge, CNN has reported.

Stines was also recently deposed in a federal lawsuit regarding a former deputy’s misconduct.

Written by B.C. Begley