PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WYMT) – A man charged in connection with the murder of Amber Spradlin has filed a motion to return to work.

Michael McKinney, a Floyd County business owner and dentist, was arrested earlier this month. He was originally charged with seven counts of aiding and abetting evidence tampering in connection with the murder of Amber Spradlin at his Arkansas Creek home. The charge now includes eight counts of tampering.

McKinney was released on $250,000 bail shortly after his arrest, but was placed on house arrest as a condition of his bail. In Kentucky, house arrest, if approved, can be considered work time.

Last week, McKinney’s attorney filed a motion to authorize his return to work “to continue operating Floyd County Smiles … while he is in Home Incarceration GPS.”

The request is made according to a fixed schedule: Monday – 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday – 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday – 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday – 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

According to the application, the working hours correspond to a 30-minute commute and include the requirement to leave the business between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. daily “as necessary” to “visit the bank regarding his business and personal accounts.”

Although he is currently suspended from practicing dentistry, the motion states that “his work and neglect are essential to maintaining business operations” and that he should be allowed to continue to manage the practice.

The motion further states that although he was charged with the crime, he was not convicted, “and that the loss of his business should not be a component of his pre-trial release.”

The motion is expected to be heard during the next court session on Monday.

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