PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) – The defense attorney in the Amber Spradlin murder trial was held in contempt of court and fined $500 during a hearing this morning in Floyd Circuit Court.

Special Judge Eddy Coleman chastised defense attorney Randy O’Neal for using three, “basically phony citations to case law,” in his motion to dismiss the charges of murder and tampering with physical evidence against M.K. McKinney, along with charges of tampering with physical evidence against Dr. Michael McKinney and Josh Mullins.

The motion to dismiss the charges was withdrawn.

All three defendants entered not guilty pleas to an additional charge of tampering with physical evidence.

Special Judge Coleman ruled that Dr. Michael McKinney will be allowed to work as an, “operator” of his dental office in Prestonsburg with varying starting times until 5 p.m. each day while on home incarceration. The Kentucky Board of Dentistry suspended his license earlier this month, however McKinney can still oversee the daily operations of his business. He will be required to wear GPS monitoring at all times.

Also, during the hearing, defendant Josh Mullins was granted a reduction in bond from $100,000 to $50,000 cash.

A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for October 24th in Floyd Circuit Court.