Bond Reduced for Man Accused of Murder; Judge Accepts Second Bond Request in the Spradlin Case

By Roberta Cantrell
BSN Editor

All three defendants in the Amber Spradlin murder case have recently brought before the judge requests that would alter what conditions the court had originally set for them

Two defendants in the case of the murder of Amber Spradlin have lost their requests to be removed from the order of home incarceration.

Michael McKinney, 57, and Josh Mullins, 25, are each charged with eight counts of evidence tampering for allegedly trying to cover up the June 18, 2023, murder of Spradlin, whose body was found in McKinney’s home.

Michael McKinney and Mullins have been out of jail since shortly after their arrests in July of 2024, but have remained under home incarceration with permission to only leave for work.

Both men asked to be lifted from the home incarceration requirements, saying they have complied with all conditions.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Brent Turner objected to the request, saying their compliance was an argument to keep things “as-is,” rather than changing them.

Special Judge Eddy Coleman issued orders answering the motions with one sentence: “It is hereby ordered by the court that the defendant’s motion to modify bond conditions is denied.”

The third person M.K. McKinney remains in the Floyd County Detention Center.

McKinney is accused of stabbing Spradlin to death at his father’s home on June 18, 2023. He had been held on a $5 million bond since his arrest in July 2024, but Judge Coleman agreed to lower his bond Dec. 1. The new terms would have required him to post $2 million in property and $400,000 in cash.

His attorney Steven Romines has since asked for a further reduction to either $500,000 in cash or $1 million in property and $400,000 in cash, saying he is unable to meet the current property requirement.

On Friday, Special Judge Eddy Coleman agreed to a second bond reduction which his attorney has indicated in previous filings his client could meet.

Judge Coleman split the difference. He ordered McKinney to post $1,005,000 worth of property and $450,000 in order to obtain his freedom prior to trial.

While McKinney could be released from jail, he will be under strict home incarceration with GPS monitoring. Other conditions of release will further restrict his freedom. He will not be allowed to live with either co-defendants, his father, Michael McKinney, or family friend, Josh Mullins. He will not be allowed to drive, possess any weapons, use alcohol or drugs, or use any prescribed scheduled drug without court approval. He will also be subject to random drug and alcohol testing and he is only allowed to use one doctor and one pharmacy.

All three defendants are due back in court Feb. 26, for a pretrial conference.

Their trial is scheduled to begin May 11, and is expected to last 3-to-4 weeks.