Prestonsburg, Ky – The upcoming trial in the Amber Spradlin murder case is set to begin May 11. At a hearing prosecutors asked to delay the trial because not all DNA results are back from the state crime lab. Two defense teams agreed but also asked to ease home incarceration rules. One of M.K. McKinney’s attorneys objected to any further delay. Special Judge Eddy Coleman said because of that objection, the trial will go forward, telling the parties, “See you all on May 11.” In a written order, the judge also kept home incarceration in place for Michael McKinney and Mullins, and for now, jury selection is still set to begin May 11 with the trial expected to last three to four weeks.
Breathitt County, Ky – Two people are dead after a crash in Breathitt County. Kentucky State Police say it happened Wednesday on Kentucky 15 in the Watts community. Troopers say 36‑year‑old Brandon Combs of Lost Creek was driving a Dodge Avenger when it crossed the center line and hit a Toyota Camry head-on, driven by 30‑year‑old Deanna Noble, also of Lost Creek. The impact pushed the Camry into a third vehicle. Combs and Noble were pronounced dead at the scene. Officials have learned Noble is the daughter of Breathitt County Judge‑Executive Jeff Noble.
Pike County, Ky – A Pike County man facing child pornography charges is out of jail after a judge cut his bond so he can enter substance abuse treatment. Court records say 30‑year‑old Terry Weston Rogers was released Monday from the Pike County Detention Center, where he had been held since February on a charge of possessing matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor. Judge Robert Wright reduced his bond from 250‑thousand cash to 25‑thousand surety, ordering Rogers into treatment at Frontier Behavioral Health, with no social media use and no new law violations. At the time of his arrest, Rogers was already free on bond in several misdemeanor cases, including an alleged sexual contact incident with a stranger in the Pikeville Parking Garage last August.
Inez, Ky – The Martin County sheriff is having a little fun at the expense of an accused drug owner. Sheriff John Kirk says janitors at the Martin County Government Center found a yellow pouch of suspected drugs in a hallway after hours on April 16 and turned it over to him. Kirk posted a photo on social media, joking that whoever lost their “dope” could call the sheriff’s office to claim it and win an “all‑expense‑paid vacation” to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center. Deputies say surveillance video showed 39‑year‑old Joshua Scott of Debord dropping the bag. Inside, they reported finding suspected controlled substances, including pills and white powder. Scott was arrested Monday in Inez and is charged with first‑ and third‑degree possession of a controlled substance.
South Williamson, Wv – A South Williamson woman is facing felony charges after troopers say she tried to bring drugs into the Pike County Detention Center. Kentucky State Police say they stopped a Ford Focus in South Williamson on April 16 and arrested the driver, 35‑year‑old Mary L. Sidney, on active warrants and traffic charges. After she was taken to the jail, troopers say Sidney handed over drugs during a strip search. They report seizing about 60 grams of suspected meth, along with smaller amounts of suspected crack cocaine and fentanyl. Sidney reportedly told troopers the drugs were not hers and that she hid them in her pants after seeing them in the vehicle. She is charged with first‑degree trafficking in meth, promoting contraband, and multiple counts of possession of controlled substances.