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 […]

The post After confusion, judge allows murder suspect limited release to meet with attorneys appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — Special Judge Eddy Coleman on Friday issued an order delaying the start of the Amber Spradlin murder trial by one day, to give the prosecution time to make its case for a lengthier continuance. 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. All three defendants were scheduled to go on trial May 11, but […]

The post Judge orders hearing to determine whether to delay Amber Spradlin murder trial again appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

For Ryan Osborne, the road to NASCAR didn’t start in a race shop, it started in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and later on, East Tennessee. Born in Pikeville and raised with deep roots in Floyd County coal country, Osborne’s journey to the top level of motorsports is anything but typical. His grandfather worked in the mines, his uncle drove a dump truck, and his father worked on the railroad. Racing wasn’t a career path, it was a passion.  That passion eventually led him to a young driver and Knoxville native named Trevor Bayne in the mid-2000s. Osborne spent time […]

The post From EKY to NASCAR’s Biggest Stage: Osborne’s Journey to the Cup Series appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — Media reports that M.K. McKinney has been granted “temporary release” from house arrest are not accurate, Mountain Top News has confirmed. McKinney is accused of the June 18, 2023, the murder of Amber Spradlin. Spradlin’s body was found in the home of McKinney’s father, Prestonsburg dentist Michael McKinney. Both McKinneys and family friend Josh Mullins are also charged with evidence tampering for allegedly trying to cover up the crime. Media reports Friday morning suggested that M.K. McKinney had been given permission to travel to meet his attorneys in Louisville from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day […]

The post Reports of accused killer’s release ahead of trial were premature appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — A blood-spattered door and a bloody handprint found next to the body. Those are just two of the dozens of pieces of evidence still waiting to be tested in the Amber Spradlin murder case, even as it heads to trial in 11 days. One week after Special Judge Eddy Coleman denied a prosecution request to delay the trial, Commonwealth’s Attorney Brent Turner filed an 11th-hour request for the judge to reconsider. In doing so, he provided the most complete accounting of the outstanding evidence the public has seen yet. Turner says much of the evidence could prove […]

The post LIFE-ALTERING IMPLICATIONS: Turner files last-ditch motion to delay Amber Spradlin trial appeared first on Mountain Top Media.