Former Adelaide woman facing death penalty in US to try and secure public funding for defence
December 13, 2018
"Lawyers for a former Adelaide woman who faces the death penalty in the US state of Arizona over her stepdaughter's death will meet with the consulate today to try and secure public funding for her defence....
The Maricopa County Court was told the disclosure of key evidence was still ongoing between the prosecution and defence, but lawyers for Ms Cunningham wanted to hire their own expert to forensically examine her mobile phone.
Outside court, her lawyer Eric Kessler told media that his client, and her co-accused and husband, former police detective Germayne Cunningham, were "doing pretty well" and were settling into to jail while they awaited trial for 11 charges, including first degree murder and child abuse.
"We were able today to successfully get an order from the court that would direct the medical examiner to give us certain slides from the autopsy, which would certainly help the defence pathologist help determine what the true cause of death was," he said....
He said he was hopeful that information from the autopsy and phone would shed some light on the case.
"We're still trying to get clarification exactly what they did according to the Government that constitutes the child abuse that is at issue with respect to the homicide charge," Mr Kessler said....
When asked if Ms Cunningham had already been provided with any public money to foot her legal bills, Mr Kessler said that would be discussed in meetings today.
Ms Cunningham will be back before the court in February while her trial is expected to be heard in July 2020...."
Former Adelaide woman facing death penalty in US to try and secure public funding for defence
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'They're excellent parents': Australian woman facing death penalty in US over death of stepdaughter
1 Oct 2018
"An Australian woman facing the death penalty in the US over the death of her stepdaughter was let down by the health system, the woman's lawyer claims....
In an exclusive interview with 7.30, Ms Cunningham's lawyer Eric Kessler said the couple had tried their best with Sanaa but were overwhelmed by her mental illnesses.
"Sanaa presented with very difficult medical, emotional and psychiatric issues. They sought professional care in all of those fields. Even when they had limited funds, they nonetheless continued to find a solution for Sanaa," Mr Kessler said.
Mr Kessler said the family had been let down by the system.
"If even one medical professional or mental health professional had properly diagnosed this child and given appropriate instructions to Lisa and Germayne to deal with Sanaa's true problems, then I don't believe we would have a deceased child," he said....
"Lisa loved Sanaa as though Sanaa was her own," Mr Kessler said.
"I can see from their other children who are well-adjusted and healthy ... so I take from that that they're excellent parents."...
Prosecutors paint a very different picture of the Cunninghams....
'Prosecutors said the defence is a pack of lies'...
"They have said the Cunninghams have tried to manipulate the record and manipulate the diagnoses. They went doctor shopping, is the term that they used in court."...
Ms Cunningham's lawyers are seeking help from the Australian Government to defend the case with financial aid, which has been given to other citizens facing serious charges abroad.
"The Australian Government has not been terribly receptive," Mr Kessler said.
"We're in the process of trying to schedule meetings with the Australian Government so at this point I can't criticise their efforts."..."
Australian woman facing death penalty in US over stepdaughter's death an 'excellent parent'
(PHOTO: Lisa Cunningham's lawyer, Eric Kessler. [ABC News])
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'I really and truly believe she is innocent. She was too nice a girl': Family in disbelief as Australian woman could face execution in the United States after being accused of murder and abuse of her stepdaughter
8 September 2018
"...Family of Mrs Cunningham claim the former Adelaide woman is innocent, the Sunday Mail reported.
'What I know I could not honestly see her doing something like that. I really and truly believe she is innocent. She was too nice a girl,' said cousin Julie.
Mrs Cunningham's uncle, Rob Topsfield, 70, said the Americans had got it wrong about his niece who 'wouldn't hurt a fly'.
'I'm really angry with the American judicial system at the moment,' he said.
Mr Topsfield is disappointed that he can't fly over to support his niece as he is undergoing cancer treatment.
He claims Mrs Cunningham is a compassionate person who cared for her two older brothers when her mother experienced mental health struggles.
Mr Topsfield said Mrs Cunningham had tragedy in her life as her grandmother and mother died within a short period of time when she last visited Australia.
Mrs Cunningham was born in Adelaide, before moving around the country and living in Far North Queensland.
She moved to the United States in the late 1980s as a teenager and then met her first husband.
Two weeks before she pleaded not guilty, Mrs Cunningham tried to commit suicide, according to the Sunday Mail.
The case could create diplomatic disharmony as the Australian Government is opposed to the death penalty.
If convicted and sentenced to death, she would be the first Australian woman to face the death penalty in the United States. ...
The Australian had lived in the US for 20 years and is eligible for $500,000 in funds from the Attorney-General - which provides support to Australians facing the death penalty overseas. "
Family in disbelief as Australian woman faces execution in the US after being accused of murder | Daily Mail Online
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