Kentucky sheriff charged with killing judge pleads not guilty to murder charge to

The Kentucky sheriff of a small Appalachian county who is accused of walking into a judge's chambers and fatally shooting him pleaded not guilty to a murder charge on Wednesday.

Letcher County Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines, 43, is being held in another Kentucky county but was arraigned by video Wednesday before a special judge, who is standing in for the judge who was gunned down, Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins.

Wearing a gray jail uniform, Stines showed no emotion while appearing via video for the brief hearing. He appeared alongside a public defender, who entered the not guilty plea on his behalf. The special judge, Carter County District Judge H. Rupert Wilhoit III, conducted the hearing from his courtroom in northeastern Kentucky. There was no discussion of a bond during the hearing, and the judge indicated that the maximum punishment in the case would be the death penalty.