PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — Hours after erroneous media reports triggered a false alarm that murder defendant M.K. McKinney would be temporarily released from home incarceration so he could meet with his attorneys in Louisville to plot defense strategy, the judge has now agreed to the request, although under stricter guidelines.

McKinney is charged with the June 18, 2023, murder of Amber Spradlin, who was found stabbed to death in his father’s home. McKinney, his father Michael McKinney and family friend Josh Mullins are also charged with evidence tampering for allegedly trying to cover up the crime.

M.K. McKinney’s attorneys had asked that their client’s conditions of house arrest be modified, to allow him to travel to Louisville from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day over a two-week period.

Friday afternoon, Special Judge Eddy Coleman agreed to allow M.K. McKinney to leave home to meet with his attorney, but only for five days — May 4-8 — and only between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.

The trial for all three men is scheduled to begin May 12, although a hearing on May 11 could result in the case being delayed or in M.K. McKinney being tried separately from his co-defendants.

A copy of the judge’s modified order follows: