Dateline: True Crime Weekly, November 13, 2025

Episode: Kentucky Prosecutor Wants Trial of Dentist's Son Delayed. Cal Harris Sues Cops. Plus, Rental Scams.
Host: Andrea Canning (NBC News)
Featured Correspondents: Blaine Alexander, Sue Simpson, Alex Lerae, Vicky Wynn

Episode Overview

This week’s Dateline: True Crime Weekly delivers in-depth coverage on three major crime stories shaking communities across the U.S.:

• The prosecution’s request to delay the Kentucky murder trial of a dentist’s son
• Cal Harris’ civil suit against authorities after years of murder trials
• A sharp rise in sophisticated rental scams on social media

Host Andrea Canning is joined by expert correspondents for fresh reporting, courtroom highlights, and practical advice.

1. Kentucky Dentist & Son: Murder Trial Delayed

[00:50–09:07]

Summary & Key Points

• The Crime: In June 2023, Amber Spradlin, a beloved 38-year-old restaurant hostess, was found stabbed to death in the home of Dr. Michael McKinney, a small-town dentist in Prestonsburg, Kentucky.

  • McKinney’s son, Michael “M.K.” McKinney, was charged with her murder and evidence tampering in August 2024, alongside his father and a family friend, Josh Mullins, also charged with tampering.
  • All three have pleaded not guilty; MK remains jailed on $5 million bond.

• Victim Profile:

  "She had a huge smile, tremendous personality... just enjoyed being social and flashing that big smile to everyone.”
  —Blaine Alexander [03:16]

• The Night of the Crime:

  • After work, Amber went to a bar with friend Roy Kidd. They met the McKinneys, went to the dentist's house, and partied.
  • The next morning, Roy found Amber dead on the couch; Dr. McKinney called 911:

  “It looks like somebody's came into the house and effing murdered her. There's blood everywhere.”
  —Andrea Canning (quoting 911 call) [03:43]

• Prosecution Theory & Evidence:

  • DNA from Amber's fingernails matched the McKinneys.
  • MK had suspicious scratches; his father did not.
  • No clear motive identified; prosecutor cited MK’s "history of violent outbursts and mental instability," partly relying on Roy Kidd's testimony.

    “MK had told him [Roy] he sometimes heard voices telling him to kill himself and to do bad things.”
    —Blaine Alexander [05:10]

• Defense’s Response:

  • Say Roy Kidd is unreliable and possibly responsible; allege he was "intoxicated to the point of belligerence."
  • Emphasize MK's clean criminal record.

• The Cover-Up Accusations:

  • Prosecutor claims the trio disposed of MK’s clothes, a home security camera, a computer hard drive, and a knife handle.

• Reason for Trial Delay:

  • Prosecutor still awaiting key DNA results:
    • Blood on Amber’s clothing, couch, Dr. McKinney’s bedroom door, and in sink traps
    • Potential hairs on Amber’s clothing
  • Kentucky crime labs face major backlogs:

    “There's a backlog in Kentucky Crime labs… moving as quickly as they can, but it still takes time.”
    —Blaine Alexander [07:25]

• Defense Frustrations:

  “They can't say we're not ready for trial because our case isn't strong enough, but say simultaneously our case is so strong he's got to be held in jail on a five million dollar bond.”
  —Sue Simpson [08:33]

  “You can't have your cake and eat it too.”
  —Andrea Canning [08:46]

• Judge’s Decision:

  • Trial is officially on hold; next hearing scheduled to “iron out those next steps.” [08:53–09:01]

2. Cal Harris Sues Law Enforcement After Four Murder Trials

[11:01–19:04]

Background & Timeline

• Case Summary:

  • Michelle Harris disappeared Sept. 11, 2001. Her van was found abandoned; no body ever recovered.
  • Cal Harris was tried four times over 15 years for her presumed murder—convicted twice, acquitted at the fourth trial, spent three years in prison.

• Cal’s Perspective:

  “From his perspective, they put him through hell. Four trials, three years behind bars, and many years of separation from his children.”
  —Sue Simpson [12:54]

• Key Early Evidence:

  • Small blood stains in kitchen rug and garage linked to Michelle.

  “Investigators believe... blood came from a recent act of violence that someone had then tried to clean up.”
  —Sue Simpson [15:04]

• Prosecution Motivation:

  • Cal didn’t search for Michelle; couple’s relationship was rocky and amid a divorce.
  • Prosecutor’s assertion of motive: Custody and financial stress.

• Memorable Moment—Alleged Threats:

  “I wouldn't need a gun to kill you, and if I did kill you, they'll never find your body.”
  —Tioga County DA Jerry Keene, via Alex Lerae [14:36]

• The Four Trials:

  • Conviction 1 overturned after a new witness surfaced.
  • Conviction 2 overturned on appeal due to jury selection errors.
  • Trial 3 ended in a hung jury.
  • Acquitted by judge at trial 4.

Harris’ Lawsuit

• Filed 2017:

  • Defendants: State investigators, former prosecutor, children’s babysitter.
  • Allegations: Fabricated evidence, pressuring the prosecutor, coaching witnesses, doctored photos, babysitter changing testimony under direction.

  "Kyle Harris accused the New York State investigators of pressuring the prosecutor to bring charges, fabricating evidence and grooming witnesses..."
  —Sue Simpson [17:20]

  • Defendants deny all wrongdoing.

    “The lead investigator... testified that her investigation had been exhaustive and that the prosecutor, not her, called the shots about filing charges.”
    —Sue Simpson [17:48]

• Impact on Family:

  • Harris’ son Tanner testified emotionally about prison visits and family separation.

    “Every time they turned around to drive home, how silent it was in the car.”
    —Sue Simpson [18:15]

• Jury Verdict:

  • Jury ruled against Harris—insufficient evidence of a conspiracy or malice by authorities.

• Long-Term Outlook:

  “I find it really hard to believe it's the end... We know that the body hasn't been found, obviously. So that could happen and be a final chapter there.”
  —Sue Simpson [18:54]

3. Dateline Roundup: Updates on Ongoing Criminal Cases

[21:13–26:30]

A. Murder of Kada Scott (Philadelphia) [21:20–23:34]

• Case Update:
  • 23-year-old aspiring beauty queen Kada Scott disappeared October 4.
  • Body found 14 days later; single gunshot wound to the head.
  • Suspect Keon King, previously charged with strangulation/kidnapping (charges dropped), now faces additional charges of robbery, firearms violations, and evidence tampering.
  • Outrage as prior charges had been dropped.
  • Philadelphia community and city council now reassessing handling of such violent crime cases.
  • Public funeral: Hundreds attended, many in Kada’s favorite color, pink.

    “We’re going to formally institutionalize the Kada Scott internship in the city of Philadelphia.”
    —Mayor Cherelle Parker [23:18]

B. Dan Serafini—MLB Pitcher Seeks New Trial [23:34–25:16]

• Background:
  • Convicted in July of shooting his in-laws (June 2021).
  • New trial request based on juror conduct; "Juror Number Six" used the computer “snipping tool” to analyze and compare evidence.

  “She testified that she used the snipping tool to grab screenshots from two surveillance videos...”
  —Alex Lerae [24:26]

  • Defense: Claims this amounts to unauthorized analysis.
  • Prosecution: Says juror was just better understanding evidence.
  • Next hearing on Dec 8; a separate hearing on claim of insufficient counsel set for January.

C. Angie Solomon—Murder-for-Hire Accusations [25:16–26:26]

• Background:
  • Tennessee case: Angie Solomon accused of trying to hire a hitman to kill ex-husband, TV anchor Aaron Solomon. Alleged motive: access to a trust fund.
  • Previous divorce litigation included abuse and molestation allegations against Aaron (found without merit by the court). Aaron also sued Angie for defamation (case dismissed).
  • Latest: Daughter has filed a civil suit against Aaron, making public statements on YouTube.
  • Angie’s next court hearing: December.

4. Rental Scams Soar: How to Protect Yourself

[26:33–31:17]

Insights from Vicky Wynn, NBC News Chief Consumer Investigative Correspondent

• Rental Scams Are Rising:

  • Social media is the new “frontier”—scammers steal real agents’ videos and images, set up fake listings at bargain prices.
  • Tactics:
    • Push urgency (“act now or lose the unit”)
    • Ask for even small, “refundable” deposits ($200–400), then disappear.
  • Many victims are young, new to the market, or unfamiliar with local pricing.

    "Repost someone else's videos, and in some cases... they're even posing as the realtor themselves."
    —Vicky Wynn [29:08]

• Red Flags for Renters:

  • Super-low rent
  • Sense of urgency or pressure
  • Requests for money upfront, sight unseen
  • Non-traceable payment methods (Zelle, Venmo, etc.)

  "If you're looking at an ad and the rent is just so much lower than the market rate, steer clear."
  —Vicky Wynn [30:22]

• What To Do If Scammed:

  • Report to your bank immediately—try to recover funds.
  • Notify your local police.
  • Report fraudulent listings to the platform (TikTok, IG, etc.)
  • Platforms say they are removing accounts but can’t keep up ("a game of whack-a-mole").

    “[Scammers] know how to find markets that are profitable for them... ripping off a bunch of people... and disappear.”
    —Vicky Wynn [28:45]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Delays in Forensic Processing:

  "I think the public and everybody has this idea that they've got some big assembly line of DNA people like on CSI... they don't do that."
  —Andrea Canning [07:35]

• On Prosecutors' Double Standards:

  "You can't have your cake and eat it too."
  —Andrea Canning [08:46]

• On Family Impact of Four Trials:

  “[Tanner Harris] said every time they turned around to drive home, how silent it was in the car.”
  —Sue Simpson [18:15]

Timestamps by Major Segment

• Kentucky Dentist/Son Murder Trial: [00:50–09:07]
• Cal Harris Civil Lawsuit: [11:01–19:04]
• Dateline Round-Up:
  • Kada Scott (Philadelphia Murder): [21:20–23:34]
  • Dan Serafini (MLB Pitcher): [23:34–25:16]
  • Angie Solomon (Murder-for-Hire): [25:16–26:26]
• Rental Scams Segment: [26:33–31:17]

Takeaways

• Crime investigations can stall for years due to evidence delays—sometimes at the expense of defendants’ liberty.
• Prosecutorial decisions and law enforcement conduct remain hotly contested, with families deeply affected.
• Social media rental scams have exploded. Growing awareness and a skeptical approach are essential for renters.

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