PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — An attorney for the man accused of killing Amber Spradlin is objecting to the prosecutor’s timeline for putting the case before a jury, saying his client’s mental health is deteriorating while he waits behind bars.

Spradlin’s body was found June 18, 2023, at the Arkansas Creek home of Prestonsburg dentist Dr. Michael McKinney. She had been stabbed at least a dozen 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 charged with eight counts of evidence tampering for allegedly trying to cover up the crime.

In a filing two weeks ago, Commonwealth’s Attorney Brent Turner said all of the evidence is still not back from the state crime lab, and he anticipates being ready for trial in February or March of 2026.

But M.K. McKinney’s attorney, Steven Romines, says in a response filed Thursday that he “strenuously objects” to that timeline. Romines says his client has been held in isolation since his arrest last July “without access to basic distractions like books or television.”

“Every day, week, month and potential year alone in a cell is actual, intense and debilitating prejudice against the defendant,” Romines said.

Special Judge Eddy Coleman is expected to take up Romines’ motion for a speedy trial as well as a possible change of venue at the next hearing in the case, scheduled for April 22.

A full copy of Romines’ response is reprinted below: