PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) — A Floyd Circuit Court judge has dismissed several claims against local government officials and agencies in a civil lawsuit stemming from the 2023 murder of Amber Spradlin.
Special Judge John F. Vincent granted summary judgment in favor of Floyd County Judge-Executive Robbie Williams, Magistrates Mark Crider and George Ousley, the City of Prestonsburg and the Prestonsburg Police Department.
The lawsuit, filed by Spradlin's estate, challenged decisions involving emergency dispatch services and the operation of the county's 911 system.
According to the court order, two calls were made from the residence where Spradlin was murdered on June 18, 2023. The second call required an emergency response, and Kentucky State Police subsequently led the murder investigation.
Vincent ruled that the fiscal court members were protected by legislative immunity for their decisions involving emergency dispatch services. The court also determined that Kentucky law shielded the city and police department from the claims.
Official-capacity claims against former Prestonsburg Police Chief Randy Woods and former Mayor Les Stapleton were also dismissed.
However, claims against Woods and Stapleton in their individual capacities remain pending.
The ruling was entered November 4 and does not resolve the entire civil lawsuit.
