Legal fund bid for SA mother Lisa Cunningham on death row
THE family of an Adelaide-born woman facing the death penalty in the US say they will lobby the Australian Government “tooth and nail” until it helps fund the mother’s murder defence.
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THE family of an Adelaide-born woman facing the death penalty in the US say they will lobby the Australian Government “tooth and nail” until it helps fund the mother’s murder defence.
Lisa Cunningham, 43, who now lives in Phoenix, Arizona, is accused of murdering her seven-year-old stepdaughter, Sanaa, in February last year.
The mother of four could become the first Australian woman sent to death row if she is found guilty. Her husband, Germayne Cunningham, 39, is also charged with the first degree murder of his mentally-ill daughter.
A relative close to the case says the Federal Government must step in and allow Mrs Cunningham, pictured, access to a special scheme worth up to $500,000 in a bid to win her freedom.
The relative, who did not wish to be named, said convicted drug smugglers Cassie Sainsbury and Schapelle Corby – whose legal bills were partly covered by Australian taxpayers – were given an opportunity that Mrs Cunningham now deserved.
“She is an Australian at the end of the day so if they don’t help her I’ll make them listen,” the relative told The Advertiser.
“I’m waiting for that and if I have to go to Canberra, that’s what I’ll do. I’m going to be Lisa’s voice in Australia. She is innocent.”
The Attorney-General’s Department is yet to make a decision on releasing the money.
The accused couple, who deny murder and other child abuse charges, remain in protective custody as they await a trial not expected until mid-2020.
Maricopa County Superior Court has heard they allegedly restrained the young girl with cable ties before she died from sepsis.