Mountain Top Media
Defendant in Amber Spradlin murder asks for bond reduction, work release
PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The primary suspect in the Amber Spradlin murder case is asking that his bond be lowered and he be granted work release, arguing that newly examined DNA evidence has weakened the case against him.
Attorney Steven Romines filed a motion for bond reduction and work release on Tuesday. In it, he asks that 26-year-old M.K. McKinney’s bond be lowered from $5 million cash and property to a property bond or $1,005,000 that has already been posted.
He also requests that McKinney be granted work release from home incarceration, with the hours and location to be approved by Kentucky Pretrial Services.
McKinney is charged with murder in the June 18, 2023, death of Spradlin, whose body was found in his father’s home following an overnight party. She had been stabbed at least a dozen times in the head and neck.
McKinney is also charged, along with his father, Michael McKinney, and family friend Josh Mullins with multiple counts of evidence tampering for allegedly trying to cover up the crime.
The case has been delayed multiple times at the prosecution’s request to allow the state crime lab to finish testing DNA evidence. Now, Romines is using the latest DNA evidence reports to bolster his motion.
“The Commonwealth previously argued that trial continuances allowing for the return of laboratory evidence could actually benefit the Defendant,” Romines wrote in his motion. “This was not well-taken by the Defense at the time, because M.K. was incarcerated — but it appears the Commonwealth’s intuition was correct. With each new piece of evidence, the case against the Defendant becomes dimmer.”
The attorney claims the reports reveal that Spradlin’s DNA was found on a towel by the sink, theorizing that the killer likely washed and dried his hands after the murder. It also found DNA from Michael McKinney, which is consistent with the location being his house, and from Spradlin’s friend, Roy Kidd, who reported falling and cutting his chin during the party.
“However, there is one person’s DNA that is conspicuously absent from every item tested in the new report —“ Romines said, “Michael ‘M.K.’ McKinney III.”
Prosecutors are prohibited by ethics rules from making public comments about evidence, but Commonwealth’s Attorney Brent Turner is expected to file a response to the motion in the coming days.
The motion will be considered at the next hearing in the case, currently set for Sept. 17.
A copy of Romines’ motion follows:
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Dickenson County Public Schools reports threat made by two students
CLINTWOOD, Va. —Two students of Ridgeview Elementary reportedly made “serious threats” against teachers, the school district is reporting.
Supt. Haydee Robinson announced the incident over social media Wednesday afternoon. Her full statement follows:
“We want to inform you about a serious threat made today by two students toward teachers at Ridgeview Elementary School. The situation was promptly addressed by the school’s administrative staff with assistance from law enforcement. No weapons were involved The parents of the students involved were quickly informed. Dickenson County Public Schools has initiated its disciplinary procedures per policy.
“We want to recognize our students who heard of the threat and immediately reported it. This greatly assisted the administration in quickly conducting its investigative process.
“We appreciate our students, staff, families, and law enforcement partners for working together to help maintain a safe school environment. We encourage all students to continue to speak up whenever they see, hear, or become aware of something that could threaten the safety of our schools.”
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