PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — The attorney for a Prestonsburg dentist charged in connection with the Amber Spradlin murder has responded to a prosecution request for additional clarification about his work-release requirements, and he agrees that more clarity is needed.

Spradlin’s body was found in the Arkansas Creek home of Dr. Michael McKinney on June 18, 2023.
She had been stabbed at least 12 times in the neck and head.

McKinney’s son, M.K. McKinney, has been charged with her murder. Both McKinneys and family friend Josh Mullins are also charged with eight counts of evidence tampering for allegedly trying to cover up the crime.

Earlier this month, Commonwealth’s Attorney Brent Turner filed a motion asking for guidance on whether it is appropriate for Michael McKinney to be visiting the Brickhouse Restaurant, which he co-owns, while out on work release.

Turner said he was prompted to investigate after hearing rumors that McKinney was spending hours each day at the restaurant. Those rumors turned out to exaggerate reality, but by looking at GPS records, Turner said he found McKinney had visited the restaurant on a dozen occasions over a six-week period. Most of the visits were for a few minutes, but three lasted for more than an hour.

Turner said visits to the Brickhouse were never brought up when discussing McKinney’s work-release limitations, although the court did allow him to run errands to places such as the bank or post office.

In his response, defense attorney Terry Jacobs agrees that clarification is needed on the Brickhouse, and he says McKinney has a legitimate need to visit the restaurant.

Jacobs says McKinney usually goes to the restaurant to deal with issues that arise, although he has also had meals there or stopped to pick up dinner on his way home. He is asking the judge to allow those visits.

Both attorneys say there is no need for a hearing on the matter, but there is a need for the judge to issue guidelines on visits to the Brickhouse.