Amber Spradlin murder case officially moved to Pike County

FLOYD COUNTY, KY (WOWK) – The case of three men facing charges in the June 2022 death of 38-year-old Amber Spradlin is officially being moved to another county.

In March, the defense for Michael “MK” McKinney III filed a motion to have the trial moved out of Floyd County. All parties approved, with the judge recommending Pike County for the location. However, the motion had to be refiled with the court, with both parties given two weeks to respond before they could proceed with the venue change.

In court Tuesday, April 22, the new motion to move the proceedings to Pike County was granted. A trial date was also expected to come out of the hearing, but that did not happen.

A debate between the prosecution and defense took place over the progress of DNA testing, which is one of the reasons for the delay in setting a trial date. The prosecuting attorney’s office says there were around 25 pieces of evidence submitted for testing, but many allegedly showed signs of being tampered with, which is making it difficult to get results.

The defense, however, says as Spradlin’s death happened nearly two years ago, the lab workers should have had plenty of time to get results by now, and they are ready to move forward with the trial.

Spradlin’s body was found in an Arkansas Creek home with 11 stab wounds in June 2023. In July 2023, three suspects — Michael “MK” McKinney III, Michael McKinney II and Josh Mullins — were arrested in connection to her death.

McKinney II and Mullins are facing eight counts of tampering with evidence, and McKinney III is facing those charges as well as murder.

Judge Eddy Coleman, who is serving as a special judge for the case, says ideally, the trial would begin Dec. 1, 2025, and wrap up by the end of the year. The defense attorneys say they’ll have to be ready with or without every piece of evidence.

“We had asked for a little more time than that to complete testing and allow retention of experts and things that are going to have to be done before then,” said Commonwealth Attorney Brent Turner. “I don’t know yet whether we can be fully ready for that date, but if that’s the date he gives us, we’re going to do everything we can to be ready for that date.”

All throughout the hearing process, community members sporting orange “Justice for Amber” shirts have been present in the courtroom. They’ve also been outside the courthouse holding signs to keep up awareness for the case and encouraging drivers to honk in support. Judge Coleman says when the case moves to Pike County, he plans to mitigate this by instructing bailiffs to be more selective when deciding who may enter the courtroom as spectators.

All three suspects are set to appear in Pike County Court on July 24, 2025, for another hearing. Judge Coleman says on that date, he would like to hear updates on the evidence DNA testing and set the starting date for the trial.