Floyd County dentist arrested in connection to Spradlin murder out on $250,000 cash bond

By Roberta Cantrell

BSN Editor

A Floyd County dentist who was arraigned last Wednesday, July 31, on seven charges of complicity of tampering with physical evidence in connection with the murder of Amber Spradlin is out on a $250,000 cash bond.

In the conditions of the bond, Dr. Michael McKinney has to remain under GPS-enforced home incarceration and required to surrender his passport and prohibited from possessing weapons, consuming alcohol and drugs. He will also be subject to random blood breath and urine tests.

According to documents filed by the Kentucky Board of Dentistry on July 31, the agency issued an immediate temporary suspension of the 56-year old dentist’s license for both his locations in Prestonsburg and Minnie. The Kentucky Board of Dentistry informed McKinney that it was beginning it’s own investigation regarding the matter and his “competency to practice.”

McKinney’s son, Michael “MK” McKinney, 24, of Martin, the only person formally charged in the murder of Spradlin remains in custody under a $5 million cash bond.

A third suspect, Josh Mullins, 23, of Martin, also in custody on seven counts of complicity of tampering with physical evidence to try and cover up the murder, is under a $100,000 cash bond.

Both MK, and Mullins, if able to post bond will have the same bond conditions as the elder McKinney.

All three entered not guilty pleas and according to Judge Eddy Coleman, they are considered to be flight risks. Judge Coleman also stated that both father and son also pose a threat to themselves and others.

The body of Anna Spradlin was found in the home of Dr. McKinney the morning of June 18, 2023, and until Tuesday, July 30, no arrests had been made. She had been stabbed at least 11 times about the neck and head.

In a statement released by Commonwealth Attorney Brent Turner this past week, he addressed the 13-month delay in the murder case assuring the public it wasn’t politically influenced “but the entire reason for the delay is the Kentucky State Police KSP forensic lab’s inability to complete tests quickly.”

Turner laid the blame with the current state legislature for lack of funding the state agency to clear a backlog of forensic tests.

Turner indicated that his office had been receiving test results within the last six months, but had only received the most critical items needed for prosecution within the last few weeks.

He also praised the Kentucky State Police and those involved in the forensic testing for the long hours of work in the case.

Andrew Mortimer