The Letcher County Sheriff, Matt Smith, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and tampering with evidence in the fatal shooting of a judge outside the Kentucky courthouse. The incident occurred on March 25th when Smith allegedly shot and killed Judge Myles Horton after a dispute.
The Sheriff appeared in court on Monday where he entered his plea and was released on a $50,000 bond. The judge presiding over the case has set a pretrial conference for June 15th.
According to reports, the shooting was the result of a disagreement between the Sheriff and Judge Horton over a pending case. Witnesses at the scene stated that Smith fired multiple shots at the judge before fleeing the scene. Horton was rushed to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Smith, who has been the Sheriff of Letcher County for three years, has maintained his innocence and claims that he acted in self-defense. His attorney stated that they will be conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the shooting.
The community has been left in shock by the tragic incident, with many expressing their disbelief at the actions of the Sheriff. The courthouse has been closed since the shooting, as authorities conduct their investigation.
As the case progresses, the residents of Letcher County are left to grapple with the loss of a respected judge and the scandal surrounding their own law enforcement. The outcome of the trial will bring closure to a community that has been rocked by this senseless act of violence.
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