Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s general counsel ordered Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines to resign by Friday or face removal proceedings.

Stines, accused of first-degree murder for the Sept. 19 shooting of District Judge Kevin Mullins, has pleaded not guilty.

Mullins, 54, was shot and killed in his chambers, and Stines, 43, surrendered without incident.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive, though Stines was recently deposed in a federal lawsuit involving alleged deputy misconduct, NBC News has reported.

If Stines doesn’t resign, removal proceedings will begin under a state law allowing the governor to fire peace officers for neglect.

Written by B.C. Begley