‘I’m crying’: Former Adelaide mum Lisa Cunningham tells of turmoil after US murder trial delay
A former Adelaide mother who could face execution in the United States over her stepdaughter’s death has told of her turmoil after her murder trial was delayed more than 18 months.
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A former Adelaide mother who could face execution in the United States if found guilty of her stepdaughter’s death has told of her turmoil after her court trial was delayed more than 18 months.
Mother-of-four Lisa Marie Cunningham, 48, may become the first Australian woman on death row if she is convicted of killing seven-year-old Sanaa, in Arizona in February 2017.
“I’m crying. I’ve some serious health problems because of the conditions of detainment and treatment,” she told The Advertiser.
Mrs Cunningham, and her American husband, former Phoenix robbery squad Detective Germayne, 43, have been in custody for the past five years despite denying first-degree murder.
But their trial, which was due to start last week at Maricopa County Superior Court in her adopted hometown Phoenix, has been adjourned until at least September next year.
Speaking from the maximum-security wing of the desert Estrella Women’s Jail, near Phoenix, Mannum-born Mrs Cunningham, a former prison guard, said it was a shock.
She said she begrudgingly agreed to a new trial date before Judge Geoffrey Fish.
“(The judge) stated that several cases must go before mine because they are older … and mine going sooner is unfair,” she said.
“I’ve not fully processed or accepted the delay of 19 months in this place. I didn’t agree to the delay. My attorney (lawyer) asked if I was OK with it in court.
“I did not file the delay. I had no choice.”
The Covid-19 pandemic had already delayed their trial several times after it was originally set for September 2020.
The court heard a variety of reasons were behind the latest delay.
This included the judge’s and lawyers’ schedules, more time needed to investigate medical issues and to interview doctors who treated Sanaa in the year before her death.
They could face the death penalty, which the Australian government opposes, for “premeditated and deliberate” murder as well as child abuse.
Prosecutors allege Sanaa, who suffered from acute schizophrenia, died from a sepsis infection in Phoenix Children’s Hospital from head and foot injuries linked to her living conditions.
Mrs Cunningham, who has been receiving Foreign Affairs consular assistance, claimed Sanaa died from pneumonia and the effects of special prescribed medication.
Her local lawyer Eric Kessler said she was “doing reasonably well under the circumstances”. “She is very active in her defence and is quite bright,” he said.
“Like most things in this era, Covid played a major role in delaying trial preparations, and to a certain extent, it still does.”
Her family are raising money for food and medicine while a mitigation officer has been interviewing relatives and friends. Neither the prosecutors or the court responded to inquiries. A pre-trial hearing is listed for next month.
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Originally published as ‘I’m crying’: Former Adelaide mum Lisa Cunningham tells of turmoil after US murder trial delay
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