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I wish they had just reported on this case from the beginning.
AZ - Sanaa Cunningham, 7, abused before death, Maricopa County, 12 February 2017 *Arrests*
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If anyone reading here sees a date for the evidentiary hearings for next week - please post! I see no change in the calendar on the court site, as of yet. But will keep looking.
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Update on this case....
March 19, 2026
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge called a recess for the criminal case of a former Phoenix police officer and his wife, who are accused of murdering their seven-year-old daughter. The break was called for at a March 18 hearing after their attorneys cited critical information prosecutors shared mid-trial.
[.....]
During a March 18 hearing, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Patricia Starr discussed the possibility of calling a mistrial, which both prosecutors and defense counsel objected to.
Defense attorneys for the Cunninghams asked that Starr dismiss the case with prejudice — meaning prosecutors couldn’t refile the criminal charges, while prosecutors asked that the trial continue despite the mid-trial disclosure.
Starr ruled out the latter.
[.....]
Starr later concluded that she didn’t have enough information to dismiss the case and instead scheduled an additional hearing to determine whether to dismiss the case if enough members of the jury were not willing to continue until the end of May.
Starr briefly brought in the jury and told them the court had run into a “legal issue” before asking members to raise their hands if they couldn’t stay on through May.
None raised their hands.
[.....]
After Starr dismissed the jury, Daniel Raynak, an attorney representing Lisa, asked that she and Germayne be released from jail with electronic monitoring in light of the unexpected delay.
“I’m not speaking for the Germayne Cunningham team,” Raynak said. “But I’m saying from our team that we would ask the court to consider that, rather than having them sit in here perhaps for the next two months when there wasn’t a verdict rendered by their peers. I would ask for it. I think there’s enough change in circumstance that the court could consider.”
[.....]
Starr asked if Lisa Cunningham had turned over her passport, which Raynak said she had — but even if she hadn’t, it would have expired.
Fox also asked that Germayne Cunningham be released in the meantime as well and that he didn’t possess a passport.
Starr scheduled a hearing on the morning of March 23 to determine whether to modify the Cunninghams’ release conditions.
If granted, it would be the first time either one walked outside in eight years.
March 19, 2026
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge called a recess for the criminal case of a former Phoenix police officer and his wife, who are accused of murdering their seven-year-old daughter. The break was called for at a March 18 hearing after their attorneys cited critical information prosecutors shared mid-trial.
[.....]
During a March 18 hearing, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Patricia Starr discussed the possibility of calling a mistrial, which both prosecutors and defense counsel objected to.
Defense attorneys for the Cunninghams asked that Starr dismiss the case with prejudice — meaning prosecutors couldn’t refile the criminal charges, while prosecutors asked that the trial continue despite the mid-trial disclosure.
Starr ruled out the latter.
[.....]
Starr later concluded that she didn’t have enough information to dismiss the case and instead scheduled an additional hearing to determine whether to dismiss the case if enough members of the jury were not willing to continue until the end of May.
Starr briefly brought in the jury and told them the court had run into a “legal issue” before asking members to raise their hands if they couldn’t stay on through May.
None raised their hands.
[.....]
After Starr dismissed the jury, Daniel Raynak, an attorney representing Lisa, asked that she and Germayne be released from jail with electronic monitoring in light of the unexpected delay.
“I’m not speaking for the Germayne Cunningham team,” Raynak said. “But I’m saying from our team that we would ask the court to consider that, rather than having them sit in here perhaps for the next two months when there wasn’t a verdict rendered by their peers. I would ask for it. I think there’s enough change in circumstance that the court could consider.”
[.....]
Starr asked if Lisa Cunningham had turned over her passport, which Raynak said she had — but even if she hadn’t, it would have expired.
Fox also asked that Germayne Cunningham be released in the meantime as well and that he didn’t possess a passport.
Starr scheduled a hearing on the morning of March 23 to determine whether to modify the Cunninghams’ release conditions.
If granted, it would be the first time either one walked outside in eight years.
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Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date/Filing Party
3/18/2026 012 - ME: Trial - Party (001) 3/18/2026
3/18/2026 012 - ME: Trial - Party (002) 3/18/2026
3/18/2026 SUA - Subpoena And Affidavit Of Service - Party (001) 3/19/2026
NOTE: State Of Arizona vs. Cunningham, et.al.; Patricia Starr
3/18/2026 MEM - Memorandum - Party (001) 3/19/2026
NOTE: DEFENDANT’S MEMORANDUM TO MEMORIALIZE MCAO’S OFF THE RECORD EMAILS TO THE COURT
Calendar just lists the trial dates.
link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History
Filing Date Description Docket Date/Filing Party
3/18/2026 012 - ME: Trial - Party (001) 3/18/2026
3/18/2026 012 - ME: Trial - Party (002) 3/18/2026
3/18/2026 SUA - Subpoena And Affidavit Of Service - Party (001) 3/19/2026
NOTE: State Of Arizona vs. Cunningham, et.al.; Patricia Starr
3/18/2026 MEM - Memorandum - Party (001) 3/19/2026
NOTE: DEFENDANT’S MEMORANDUM TO MEMORIALIZE MCAO’S OFF THE RECORD EMAILS TO THE COURT
Calendar just lists the trial dates.
link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History
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I haven't been following this one closely enough, what was released that should not have been placing this prosecution in jeopardy of being dismissed with prejudice???
NM I am caught up
The lengthy trial, which has been running for the past six months, was initially paused Monday after prosecutors disclosed thousands of pages of documents over the weekend that outlined systemic problems with police evidence.
Their computer software “glitches” and creates “phantom” entries for dates and times, records show. As a result, property and evidence employees admitted to personally changing the dates and times without verifying the information is accurate.
Major child murder trial suspended indefinitely due to Goodyear PD’s evidence problems
NM I am caught up
The lengthy trial, which has been running for the past six months, was initially paused Monday after prosecutors disclosed thousands of pages of documents over the weekend that outlined systemic problems with police evidence.
Their computer software “glitches” and creates “phantom” entries for dates and times, records show. As a result, property and evidence employees admitted to personally changing the dates and times without verifying the information is accurate.
Major child murder trial suspended indefinitely due to Goodyear PD’s evidence problems
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Docket updates:
Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date/Filing Party
3/20/2026 020 - ME: Matter Under Advisement - Party (001) 3/20/2026
3/20/2026 020 - ME: Matter Under Advisement - Party (002) 3/20/2026
3/20/2026 012 - ME: Trial - Party (002) 3/20/2026
3/20/2026 012 - ME: Trial - Party (001) 3/20/2026
3/19/2026 MOT - Motion - Party (002) 3/20/2026
NOTE: DEFENDANT LISA CUNNINGHAM’S MOTION TO MODIFY RELEASE CONDITIONS
The only hearing date is tomorrow, Monday, 3/23 per Judge Starr.
link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History
Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date/Filing Party
3/20/2026 020 - ME: Matter Under Advisement - Party (001) 3/20/2026
3/20/2026 020 - ME: Matter Under Advisement - Party (002) 3/20/2026
3/20/2026 012 - ME: Trial - Party (002) 3/20/2026
3/20/2026 012 - ME: Trial - Party (001) 3/20/2026
3/19/2026 MOT - Motion - Party (002) 3/20/2026
NOTE: DEFENDANT LISA CUNNINGHAM’S MOTION TO MODIFY RELEASE CONDITIONS
The only hearing date is tomorrow, Monday, 3/23 per Judge Starr.
link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History
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Major child murder trial suspended indefinitely due to Goodyear PD’s evidence problems
The case against the Cunninghams began in 2017. The couple is accused of child abuse, causing the death of their 7-year-old daughter, Sanaa Cunningham.
www.abc15.com
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Monday, March 23rd:
*Motion [Evidentiary] Hearing / Trial continues (Day 67)-Trial Suspended! (@ 10:30am AZT) – AZ – Sanaa Cunningham (7) (Feb. 12, 2017, Goodyear) - *Germayne L. Cunningham (39/now 47) “father” indicted & charged (12/1/17) & arraigned (1/2/18) with 1st degree murder & 10 counts of child abuse. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek DP. [DA withdrew intent to seek DP on 2/10/25]. Maricopa County
*Lisa-Marie Cunningham (44/now 52) “step mom” indicted & charged (12/1/17) & arraigned (1/19/18) with 1st degree murder & 10 counts of child abuse. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek DP. [DA withdrew intent to seek DP on 2/10/25]. Bond & conditions changed (3/10/25) to $500K secured bond & electronic monitoring for both. Maricopa County
Jury Selection began on 9/24/25 & ended 9//24/25. 12 jurors & 6 alternates.
Trial began on 9/24/25. [Trial was suspended on 3/18/26; Trial Dates: 3/23, 3/24, 3/25, 3/26, 3/30 to 4/2, 4/6 to 4/9, 4/13 to 4/16, 4/20-4/23 & 4/27-4/28, all @ 10:30am].
Maricopa Superior Court Judge Geoffrey Fish presiding. Prosecutor Jessi Wade & Joshua Clark. Defense attorneys for Germayne are Natlee Segal & Taylor Fox & Lisa’s are attorneys Eric Kessler & Dan Raynak.
Case & court info from 12/14/18 thru 11/3/25 & Jury Selection Day 1 (9/24/25) & Trial Days 1-66 (9/24-10/14 & thru 12/18/25 & thru 3/17/26; no trial on 1/28 & 2/12) & thru 3/16/26 reference post #396 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...opa-county-12-feb-2017-arrests.405007/page-20
3/18/26 Wednesday, Trial Day 67: Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Patricia Starr is considering whether to throw out a high-profile child murder case or declare a mistrial due to major issues with the Goodyear Police Dept.'s tracking of evidence. After six months of trial, the judge paused proceedings after defense attorneys presented internal police documents showing widespread problems with the department's evidence tracking software, which impacts the chain of custody in this case & potentially many others. In a motion to dismiss, defense attorneys attached internal police documents that show Goodyear police detectives & other employees admitting to major issues with their evidence tracking software. These problems with the department's evidence management system have called into question the chain of custody for key evidence in the 2017 murder case against Germayne & Lisa Cunningham. The judge will make a decision on Wednesday whether to dismiss the case against the Cunninghams or declare a mistrial due to the Goodyear Police Dept.'s evidence tracking issues. No other info available.
3/18/26 Update: In a ruling from the bench on Wednesday, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Patricia Starr ordered that the trial against Germayne & Lisa Cunningham will be suspended until the court can hold an evidentiary hearing to determine the scope of the problems & their impact on the case. The date for an evidentiary hearing about the problems has not been set. The defense & prosecutors will meet again in court next week to set a schedule. A multi-day evidentiary hearing likely means detectives, evidence employees, and other officials will be forced to take the stand & testify about the problems. In court, Judge Starr said she could declare a mistrial or dismiss the case, even with prejudice based on what happens.
3/19/26 Update: Daniel Raynak, an attorney representing Lisa, asked that she & Germayne be released from jail with electronic monitoring in light of the unexpected delay. “I’m not speaking for the Germayne Cunningham team,” Raynak said. “But I’m saying from our team that we would ask the court to consider that, rather than having them sit in here perhaps for the next two months when there wasn’t a verdict rendered by their peers. I would ask for it. I think there’s enough change in circumstance that the court could consider.” Starr asked if Lisa Cunningham had turned over her passport, which Raynak said she had — but even if she hadn’t, it would have expired. Fox also asked that Germayne Cunningham be released in the meantime as well & that he didn’t possess a passport. Starr scheduled a hearing on the morning of 3/23/26 to determine whether to modify the Cunninghams’ release conditions.
3/19/26 Docket updates: Subpoena & Affidavit of Service. State Of Arizona vs. Cunningham, et.al.; Patricia Starr. Defendant's Memorandum to memorialize MCAO's Office the record emails to Court. 3/19/26 Docket update: Defendant Lisa's motion to modify release conditions filed. 3/20/26 Docket update: Matter under advisement.
*Motion [Evidentiary] Hearing / Trial continues (Day 67)-Trial Suspended! (@ 10:30am AZT) – AZ – Sanaa Cunningham (7) (Feb. 12, 2017, Goodyear) - *Germayne L. Cunningham (39/now 47) “father” indicted & charged (12/1/17) & arraigned (1/2/18) with 1st degree murder & 10 counts of child abuse. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek DP. [DA withdrew intent to seek DP on 2/10/25]. Maricopa County
*Lisa-Marie Cunningham (44/now 52) “step mom” indicted & charged (12/1/17) & arraigned (1/19/18) with 1st degree murder & 10 counts of child abuse. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek DP. [DA withdrew intent to seek DP on 2/10/25]. Bond & conditions changed (3/10/25) to $500K secured bond & electronic monitoring for both. Maricopa County
Jury Selection began on 9/24/25 & ended 9//24/25. 12 jurors & 6 alternates.
Trial began on 9/24/25. [Trial was suspended on 3/18/26; Trial Dates: 3/23, 3/24, 3/25, 3/26, 3/30 to 4/2, 4/6 to 4/9, 4/13 to 4/16, 4/20-4/23 & 4/27-4/28, all @ 10:30am].
Maricopa Superior Court Judge Geoffrey Fish presiding. Prosecutor Jessi Wade & Joshua Clark. Defense attorneys for Germayne are Natlee Segal & Taylor Fox & Lisa’s are attorneys Eric Kessler & Dan Raynak.
Case & court info from 12/14/18 thru 11/3/25 & Jury Selection Day 1 (9/24/25) & Trial Days 1-66 (9/24-10/14 & thru 12/18/25 & thru 3/17/26; no trial on 1/28 & 2/12) & thru 3/16/26 reference post #396 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...opa-county-12-feb-2017-arrests.405007/page-20
3/18/26 Wednesday, Trial Day 67: Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Patricia Starr is considering whether to throw out a high-profile child murder case or declare a mistrial due to major issues with the Goodyear Police Dept.'s tracking of evidence. After six months of trial, the judge paused proceedings after defense attorneys presented internal police documents showing widespread problems with the department's evidence tracking software, which impacts the chain of custody in this case & potentially many others. In a motion to dismiss, defense attorneys attached internal police documents that show Goodyear police detectives & other employees admitting to major issues with their evidence tracking software. These problems with the department's evidence management system have called into question the chain of custody for key evidence in the 2017 murder case against Germayne & Lisa Cunningham. The judge will make a decision on Wednesday whether to dismiss the case against the Cunninghams or declare a mistrial due to the Goodyear Police Dept.'s evidence tracking issues. No other info available.
3/18/26 Update: In a ruling from the bench on Wednesday, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Patricia Starr ordered that the trial against Germayne & Lisa Cunningham will be suspended until the court can hold an evidentiary hearing to determine the scope of the problems & their impact on the case. The date for an evidentiary hearing about the problems has not been set. The defense & prosecutors will meet again in court next week to set a schedule. A multi-day evidentiary hearing likely means detectives, evidence employees, and other officials will be forced to take the stand & testify about the problems. In court, Judge Starr said she could declare a mistrial or dismiss the case, even with prejudice based on what happens.
3/19/26 Update: Daniel Raynak, an attorney representing Lisa, asked that she & Germayne be released from jail with electronic monitoring in light of the unexpected delay. “I’m not speaking for the Germayne Cunningham team,” Raynak said. “But I’m saying from our team that we would ask the court to consider that, rather than having them sit in here perhaps for the next two months when there wasn’t a verdict rendered by their peers. I would ask for it. I think there’s enough change in circumstance that the court could consider.” Starr asked if Lisa Cunningham had turned over her passport, which Raynak said she had — but even if she hadn’t, it would have expired. Fox also asked that Germayne Cunningham be released in the meantime as well & that he didn’t possess a passport. Starr scheduled a hearing on the morning of 3/23/26 to determine whether to modify the Cunninghams’ release conditions.
3/19/26 Docket updates: Subpoena & Affidavit of Service. State Of Arizona vs. Cunningham, et.al.; Patricia Starr. Defendant's Memorandum to memorialize MCAO's Office the record emails to Court. 3/19/26 Docket update: Defendant Lisa's motion to modify release conditions filed. 3/20/26 Docket update: Matter under advisement.
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Ex-Phoenix officer, wife to be released from jail amid ongoing murder trial, judge rules
A judge ruled that a former Phoenix police officer and his wife, who are accused of killing their 7-year-old daughter, will be released from jail amid their ongoing murder trial.
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Here's another article I found with a court date for jurors.
March 23, 2026
....The jury is expected to return April 6 at the earliest as defense teams and prosecutors battle over the disclosure of tens of thousands of police emails and documents.
But nothing on next hearing....
March 23, 2026
....The jury is expected to return April 6 at the earliest as defense teams and prosecutors battle over the disclosure of tens of thousands of police emails and documents.
But nothing on next hearing....
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I really wish there were trial articles. Would be great to know the evidence submitted etc.
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I totally agree! Nothing for 66 days of trial that was going on!!
Wonder why Arizona takes so long in their trials. I am following Allison Feldman's murder by Mitchum - and they are on like 40 days of trial - and again NOTHING in the news about this trial....
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Docket updates:
Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date/Filing Party
3/23/2026 ROS – Release Order Supervised Release - Party (001) 3/23/2026
NOTE: Release Order
3/23/2026 ROS – Release Order Supervised Release - Party (002) 3/23/2026
NOTE: Release Order
3/23/2026 OBJ - Objection/Opposition - Party (002) 3/24/2026
NOTE: VICTIMS S.N. and N.C.’s OBJECTION TO DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO MODIFY RELEASE
3/20/2026 MOT - Motion - Party (001) 3/23/2026
NOTE: DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR RELEASE TO PRETRIAL SERVICES
calendar dates are the same as before. They all say "Trials" - no hearing date specified.
link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History
Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date/Filing Party
3/23/2026 ROS – Release Order Supervised Release - Party (001) 3/23/2026
NOTE: Release Order
3/23/2026 ROS – Release Order Supervised Release - Party (002) 3/23/2026
NOTE: Release Order
3/23/2026 OBJ - Objection/Opposition - Party (002) 3/24/2026
NOTE: VICTIMS S.N. and N.C.’s OBJECTION TO DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO MODIFY RELEASE
3/20/2026 MOT - Motion - Party (001) 3/23/2026
NOTE: DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR RELEASE TO PRETRIAL SERVICES
calendar dates are the same as before. They all say "Trials" - no hearing date specified.
link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History
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A major West Valley child murder case is at risk of being thrown out after issues with tracking the evidence. A former Phoenix police detective and his wife were released on March 23 after a recess was called in their child murder case over evidence issues.
Medical records state that sepsis and cardiac arrest led to her death, after a year of rapid decline. Her parents took her to five different doctors who diagnosed her with unspecified schizophrenia spectrum disorder, saying she self-harmed, had issues eating, and was prescribed a list of medications. The state claims the Cunningham's used home remedies over doctor's recommendations for inpatient care.
Photos from three months before her death show 7-year-old Sanaa locked in a laundry room, naked with only a plastic lawn chair. The Cunningham's taped gloves to her hands and forced her to wear goggles. Additional photos show Sanaa lying naked on a pile of trash, malnourished and frail.
I do realize that these are incredibly serious cases. But weighing all that at this point, I am going to release the defendants on pretrial services with electronic monitoring," the judge said. "There were violations from property and evidence going back to the inception of this case. Goodyear knew about it. And so they have an obligation to tell the county attorney about it because it's exculpatory evidence or it's grading material."
Speaking for the first time to the media after being released from a Maricopa County jail after nearly a decade in custody, Lisa and her husband Germayne, a former Phoenix police detective, were released by a Maricopa County Superior Court judge during a recess in their trial.
"I'm just grateful, I'm grateful," she said.
This follows evidence tracking issues within the Goodyear Police Department that recently came to light.
"I hope it means the dismissal was prejudice, because that's what it needs to be," Lisa said. "We're devastated and heartbroken, and just grateful to be free."
Medical records state that sepsis and cardiac arrest led to her death, after a year of rapid decline. Her parents took her to five different doctors who diagnosed her with unspecified schizophrenia spectrum disorder, saying she self-harmed, had issues eating, and was prescribed a list of medications. The state claims the Cunningham's used home remedies over doctor's recommendations for inpatient care.
Photos from three months before her death show 7-year-old Sanaa locked in a laundry room, naked with only a plastic lawn chair. The Cunningham's taped gloves to her hands and forced her to wear goggles. Additional photos show Sanaa lying naked on a pile of trash, malnourished and frail.
I do realize that these are incredibly serious cases. But weighing all that at this point, I am going to release the defendants on pretrial services with electronic monitoring," the judge said. "There were violations from property and evidence going back to the inception of this case. Goodyear knew about it. And so they have an obligation to tell the county attorney about it because it's exculpatory evidence or it's grading material."
Speaking for the first time to the media after being released from a Maricopa County jail after nearly a decade in custody, Lisa and her husband Germayne, a former Phoenix police detective, were released by a Maricopa County Superior Court judge during a recess in their trial.
"I'm just grateful, I'm grateful," she said.
This follows evidence tracking issues within the Goodyear Police Department that recently came to light.
"I hope it means the dismissal was prejudice, because that's what it needs to be," Lisa said. "We're devastated and heartbroken, and just grateful to be free."
Last edited:
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Got a date for the evidentiary hearing!
March 25, 2026
....Starr planned to schedule a series of evidentiary hearings to determine whether she needed to declare a mistrial, dismiss the case or continue with the trial in its current form.
[.....]
The parties were scheduled to reconvene on March 26 in Maricopa County Superior Court..
more in article
March 25, 2026
....Starr planned to schedule a series of evidentiary hearings to determine whether she needed to declare a mistrial, dismiss the case or continue with the trial in its current form.
[.....]
The parties were scheduled to reconvene on March 26 in Maricopa County Superior Court..
more in article
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Oops - that IS today!
Thursday, March 26th:
*Motion [Evidentiary] Hearing / Trial continues (Day 67)-Trial Suspended! (@ 10:30am AZT) – AZ – Sanaa Cunningham (7) (Feb. 12, 2017, Goodyear) - *Germayne L. Cunningham (39/now 47) “father” indicted & charged (12/1/17) & arraigned (1/2/18) with 1st degree murder & 10 counts of child abuse. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek DP. [DA withdrew intent to seek DP on 2/10/25]. Maricopa County
*Lisa-Marie Cunningham (44/now 52) “step mom” indicted & charged (12/1/17) & arraigned (1/19/18) with 1st degree murder & 10 counts of child abuse. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek DP. [DA withdrew intent to seek DP on 2/10/25]. Bond & conditions changed (3/10/25) to $500K secured bond & electronic monitoring for both. Both were released from jail on 3/25/26. Maricopa County
Jury Selection began on 9/24/25 & ended 9//24/25. 12 jurors & 6 alternates.
Trial began on 9/24/25 & went thru 3/17/26. Trial was suspended on 3/18/26; [Trial Dates: 4/6/26, 4/7, 4/8, 4/9, 4/13 to 4/16, 4/20-4/23 & 4/27-4/28, all @ 10:30am].
Maricopa Superior Court Judge Geoffrey Fish presiding. Prosecutor Jessi Wade & Joshua Clark. Defense attorneys for Germayne are Natlee Segal & Taylor Fox & Lisa’s are attorneys Eric Kessler & Dan Raynak.
Case & court info from 12/14/18 thru 11/3/25 & Jury Selection Day 1 (9/24/25) & Trial Days 1-67 (9/24-10/14 & thru 12/18/25 & thru 3/17/26; no trial on 1/28 & 2/12) & thru 3/19/26 reference post #409 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...opa-county-12-feb-2017-arrests.405007/page-21
3/23/26 Update: In court on Monday, Judge Patricia Starr ruled that Germayne & Lisa Cunningham would be released with ankle monitors. Will be released on their own recognizance with several conditions, which included electronic monitoring, not to apply for a passport, leave the state nor have contact with any witnesses, which included some of their relatives. They were also to appear at future court hearings, though some could be attended virtually. “There’s no evidence that either one of them poses a specific danger to others in the community,” the judge said. “The weight of the evidence, frankly, is difficult for me because I haven’t heard all of the evidence. I’ve considered what has been provided or what I’ve seen so far, but the case is not over yet.” She also explained there’s a chance the case could be deemed a mistrial. “I may grant the motion to dismiss without prejudice, I don’t know at this time because I haven’t had a hearing. If I don’t & the trial concludes, there’s the very real chance that of a mistrial because we’ve kept these jurors already two months over, or screened them already two months over what they were originally screened for.” If the two violate their probation orders, they will be taken into custody again, which could result in a higher bond, according to Judge Starr. A specific date for the couple’s release was not set. The jury is expected to return 4/6/26 at the earliest as defense teams and prosecutors battle over the disclosure of tens of thousands of police emails & documents.
3/20/26 Docket update: Defendants' Motion for release to pretrial services. 3/23/26 Docket updates: Objection/opposition: Victims S.N. & N.C's objection to defendant's motion to modify release. Release Order supervised release. Release Order. 3/26/26 Update: Evidentiary hearing in 3/26/26.
Thursday, March 26th:
*Motion [Evidentiary] Hearing / Trial continues (Day 67)-Trial Suspended! (@ 10:30am AZT) – AZ – Sanaa Cunningham (7) (Feb. 12, 2017, Goodyear) - *Germayne L. Cunningham (39/now 47) “father” indicted & charged (12/1/17) & arraigned (1/2/18) with 1st degree murder & 10 counts of child abuse. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek DP. [DA withdrew intent to seek DP on 2/10/25]. Maricopa County
*Lisa-Marie Cunningham (44/now 52) “step mom” indicted & charged (12/1/17) & arraigned (1/19/18) with 1st degree murder & 10 counts of child abuse. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek DP. [DA withdrew intent to seek DP on 2/10/25]. Bond & conditions changed (3/10/25) to $500K secured bond & electronic monitoring for both. Both were released from jail on 3/25/26. Maricopa County
Jury Selection began on 9/24/25 & ended 9//24/25. 12 jurors & 6 alternates.
Trial began on 9/24/25 & went thru 3/17/26. Trial was suspended on 3/18/26; [Trial Dates: 4/6/26, 4/7, 4/8, 4/9, 4/13 to 4/16, 4/20-4/23 & 4/27-4/28, all @ 10:30am].
Maricopa Superior Court Judge Geoffrey Fish presiding. Prosecutor Jessi Wade & Joshua Clark. Defense attorneys for Germayne are Natlee Segal & Taylor Fox & Lisa’s are attorneys Eric Kessler & Dan Raynak.
Case & court info from 12/14/18 thru 11/3/25 & Jury Selection Day 1 (9/24/25) & Trial Days 1-67 (9/24-10/14 & thru 12/18/25 & thru 3/17/26; no trial on 1/28 & 2/12) & thru 3/19/26 reference post #409 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...opa-county-12-feb-2017-arrests.405007/page-21
3/23/26 Update: In court on Monday, Judge Patricia Starr ruled that Germayne & Lisa Cunningham would be released with ankle monitors. Will be released on their own recognizance with several conditions, which included electronic monitoring, not to apply for a passport, leave the state nor have contact with any witnesses, which included some of their relatives. They were also to appear at future court hearings, though some could be attended virtually. “There’s no evidence that either one of them poses a specific danger to others in the community,” the judge said. “The weight of the evidence, frankly, is difficult for me because I haven’t heard all of the evidence. I’ve considered what has been provided or what I’ve seen so far, but the case is not over yet.” She also explained there’s a chance the case could be deemed a mistrial. “I may grant the motion to dismiss without prejudice, I don’t know at this time because I haven’t had a hearing. If I don’t & the trial concludes, there’s the very real chance that of a mistrial because we’ve kept these jurors already two months over, or screened them already two months over what they were originally screened for.” If the two violate their probation orders, they will be taken into custody again, which could result in a higher bond, according to Judge Starr. A specific date for the couple’s release was not set. The jury is expected to return 4/6/26 at the earliest as defense teams and prosecutors battle over the disclosure of tens of thousands of police emails & documents.
3/20/26 Docket update: Defendants' Motion for release to pretrial services. 3/23/26 Docket updates: Objection/opposition: Victims S.N. & N.C's objection to defendant's motion to modify release. Release Order supervised release. Release Order. 3/26/26 Update: Evidentiary hearing in 3/26/26.
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Hopefully someone actually reports what is happening
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Here is "sort of" what happenedyesterday - but doesn't explain it much - at least to me....
www.fox10phoenix.com
March 26, 2026
PHOENIX - Concerns remain over the future of a child murder trial in the Phoenix area after evidence tracking issues with Goodyear Police came to light.
[.....]
What we know:
An evidentiary hearing has yet to be scheduled in Germayne and Lisa Cunningham's case. Lawyers for the defense says they need to interview four identified witnesses, including the police chief for Goodyear. Meanwhile, the chance for a mistrial still exists.
[.....]
The case, meanwhile, is now in limbo as the state responds to requests for evidence from the defense.
[.....]
What's next:
Judge Starr says the earliest the jury will return is April 13. During the hearing on March 26, the state made it clear they will not dismiss and refile the case to avoid an evidentiary hearing.
I do see that the Judge moved the jury to return another week forward.....
This is the only article I could find on yesterday's hearing.
Evidence concerns mount in Arizona child murder case
There are concerns over the future of a child murder trial, as evidence tracking issues come to light in case of Sanaa Cunningham's death.
March 26, 2026
PHOENIX - Concerns remain over the future of a child murder trial in the Phoenix area after evidence tracking issues with Goodyear Police came to light.
[.....]
What we know:
An evidentiary hearing has yet to be scheduled in Germayne and Lisa Cunningham's case. Lawyers for the defense says they need to interview four identified witnesses, including the police chief for Goodyear. Meanwhile, the chance for a mistrial still exists.
[.....]
The case, meanwhile, is now in limbo as the state responds to requests for evidence from the defense.
[.....]
What's next:
Judge Starr says the earliest the jury will return is April 13. During the hearing on March 26, the state made it clear they will not dismiss and refile the case to avoid an evidentiary hearing.
I do see that the Judge moved the jury to return another week forward.....
This is the only article I could find on yesterday's hearing.
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Okay - looking at the court site - it looks like there will be a hearing on 4/1/26 @ 11am. I say this because the 3/26/26 "Trial" entry had an additional entry for 11am. So I am going to go with 4/1/26 as their next evidentiary hearing date.
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