PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Defendants in the Amber Spradlin murder case will be back in court Thursday for a hearing to see how the case is progressing ahead of its Dec. 1 trial date.
Spradlin’s body was found June 18, 2023, at the Arkansas Creek home of Prestonsburg dentist Michael McKinney. McKinney’s son, M.K. McKinney, has been charged with her murder, while both McKinneys and family friend Josh Mullins are charged with multiple counts of evidence tampering for allegedly trying to cover up the crime.
Tomorrow’s hearing will be the first held since the case was moved to Pike County. No major issues are currently before the court, but attorneys are expected to discuss the use of expert witnesses at trial.
This week, Commonwealth’s Attorney Brent Turner filed a notice that he intends to call scientists from the Kentucky State Police Forensics Laboratory and Medical Examiner’s Office, and may call Dr. Bill Smock as a forensics expert. Turner also reserved the right to call DNA or psychiatric experts, in the event they become necessary.
Steven Romines, defense attorney for M.K. McKinney, has filed a motion asking that the judge require Turner to submit his full list of expert witnesses by Sept. 1.
Mountain Top Media plans to livestream tomorrow’s hearing on Mountain Top TV, the Mountain Top TV app and the Mountain Top News Facebook page. Coverage is expected to begin at 1:30 p.m.
