Commonwealth uses DNA to argue against reducing bail for accused murderer of Amber Spradlin

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WYMT) – Attorneys for Amber Spradlin's family are presenting new evidence to defend their motion to deny her accused murderer's request for a bail reduction.

The three men arrested in connection with Spradlin's murder – Michael McKinney, his son Michael “MK” McKinney and their roommate Josh Mullins – are expected to appear in court on Thursday. One of the motions under discussion is a reduction in bail for MK, who is charged with murder and eight counts of complicity in tampering with physical evidence.

MK's attorney filed a motion to reduce bail last week, claiming the Prestonsburg man is not a flight risk and that $5 million bail is too high compared to the charges filed.

Commonwealth's Attorney Brent Turner filed a motion Wednesday saying evidence collected by investigators “strongly links defendant MK McKinney to the murder of Amber Spradlin” and claimed he was “mentally unstable and a Danger to the community.”

The motion includes new evidence to support the claims, including DNA evidence and a transcript of a 911 call.

“The autopsy revealed that Amber Spradlin was stabbed at least twelve times in the head, neck and torso. The attack was so violent that the blade of the knife used in the murder broke off at her neck and was only discovered during the autopsy,” the motion states. “The nature of the injury pattern suggests that she resisted her attacker.”

According to court documents, swabs of Spradlin's fingernail clippings were processed for DNA and testing purposes and the results showed that the profile of DNA found under her nails matched Michael and MK McKinney or their male relatives.

“More importantly, the DNA profile from Amber Spradlin’s right hand fingernail clippings did not match that of defendant Josh Mullins or Roy Kidd,” the motion states.

Kidd is a friend of Spradlin's who was also reportedly at the house the night of the murder. An attorney for Kidd contacted WYMT and said court documents from McKinney's attorneys alleged that Kidd was deceptive about his involvement in the murder and cover-up.

“Roy has cooperated fully with the commonwealth and authorities and will continue to do so,” said attorney Timothy Parker. “Roy Kidd was a friend of Amber’s and was devastated to find her murdered in Michael McKinney’s home.”

The motion goes on to say there is no evidence or allegation that anyone outside the home committed the murder and there is no evidence of a break-in.

“Therefore, the question is not, 'Who in the world does the DNA under the victim's fingernails point to,' but rather, 'Who in the apartment does the DNA under the victim's fingernails point to?'” it says Application. “Obviously it could only have been defendant Michael McKinney II or defendant MK McKinney, as all other men in the house, including Roy Kidd, have been ruled out as possible contributors.”

According to the documents, Kidd was covered in blood the night of the murder, but the blood on his clothing was his own. The motion says he suffered a large cut under his chin hours before the murder “because he was so drunk he couldn't stand up on his own.”

Turner argues that MK was the only person who left the house on the night of the murder and is “the only person who had injuries to his hands or arms.”

“When police finally managed to photograph defendant MK McKinney three days after the murder, it was discovered that he had numerous suspicious scratches on both of his forearms,” the motion states.

He said the DNA could have come from either McKinney, but only MK had visible scratches.

The motion continues to list concerns about MK's mental health. He says he has disclosed mental health issues, shown himself to be unstable in public and has long-standing “anger management” issues.

The men will appear in court on Thursday at 2 p.m

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