Man indicted in shooting of ex-sheriff

TOMPKINSVILLE, Ky. - A grand jury has indicted a southern Kentucky man in the death of a former sheriff in what police have called a possible revenge killing.

The panel handed up the murder charge Thursday afternoon against 81-year-old Charles Hammer, who is accused of shooting the former Monroe County sheriff and former Tompkinsville police chief, 82-year-old Herbert "Sprocket" Proffitt.

Proffitt was gunned down in his driveway in late August.

Proffitt arrested Hammer a decade ago, and authorities are investigating whether a desire for revenge prompted the slaying.

The Daily Times in Glasgow reported that Hammer's public defender waived a preliminary hearing last month and agreed to let the grand jury hear the case.