AZ - Sanaa Cunningham, 7, abused before death, Maricopa County, 12 February 2017 *Arrests*

[Niner]

Wednesday, April 1st:
*Motion [Evidentiary] Hearing / Trial continues (Day 67)-Trial Suspended! (@ 11am 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: 4/13/26, 4/14, 4/15, 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 3/23/26 reference post #417 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...opa-county-12-feb-2017-arrests.405007/page-21
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. The jury is expected to return on 4/6/26 at the earliest as defense & prosecutors batter over the disclosure of police emails & documents.
3/26/26 update: An evidentiary hearing has yet to be scheduled in Germayne & 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. Judge Starr says the earliest the jury will return is 4/13/26. During the hearing on March 26, the state made it clear they will not dismiss and refile the case to avoid an evidentiary hearing. Next motion hearing on 4/1/26 @ 11am.

 

[Niner]

Well - not finding anything on what happened....

 

[Niner]

Not too sure IF the jury will be back on 4/13/26 as the time has changed from 10:30am to 1:30pm. It "might" be a hearing. And of course not finding ANYTHING about what is happening in this case.

Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date/Filing Party
4/1/2026 029 - ME: Status Conference - Party (001) 4/1/2026
4/1/2026 029 - ME: Status Conference - Party (002) 4/1/2026
4/1/2026 NOT - Notice - Party (001) 4/2/2026
NOTE: STATE’S NOTICE OF DISCLOSURE

3/26/2026 SDD - Notice: Sealed Document - Party (002) 4/1/2026
NOTE: JUROR EMAIL
3/26/2026 SDD - Notice: Sealed Document - Party (001) 4/1/2026
NOTE: JUROR EMAIL

3/25/2026 005 - ME: Hearing - Party (001) 3/25/2026
3/25/2026 005 - ME: Hearing - Party (002) 3/25/2026


Case Calendar
Date Time Event
4/13/2026 13:30 Trial

4/14/2026 10:30 Trial
thru
4/28/2026 10:30 Trial

link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History

 

[Niner]

No docket updates. And not finding ANY current articles since that last one in March. And since it said they would be back on 4/13/26, I shall put my notes there. And HOPING this trial continues....

Case Calendar
Date Time Event
4/13/2026 13:30 Trial
4/14/2026 10:30 Trial
4/15/2026 10:30 Trial
4/16/2026 10:30 Trial

4/20/2026 10:30 Trial
4/21/2026 10:30 Trial
4/22/2026 10:30 Trial
4/23/2026 10:30 Trial

4/27/2026 10:30 Trial
4/28/2026 10:30 Trial


link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History

 

[Niner]

The only difference I could find is the time was changed from the usual 10:30am to 1:30pm for 4/13/26. So... going to "assume" they are back for a hearing or trial on that date. And of course NOT finding any current articles.

Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date/Filing Party
4/3/2026 029 - ME: Status Conference - Party (002) 4/3/2026
4/3/2026 029 - ME: Status Conference - Party (001) 4/3/2026
4/3/2026 MOT - Motion - Party (001) 4/6/2026
NOTE: DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO COMPEL AND REQUEST FOR SANCTIONS


Case Calendar
Date Time Event
4/13/2026 13:30 Trial

link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History

 

[Niner]

Monday, April 13th:
*Motion [Evidentiary] Hearing OR Trial continues (Day 68) (@ 1:30pm 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: 4/13/26, 4/14, 4/15, 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 3/23/26 reference post #421 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...opa-county-12-feb-2017-arrests.405007/page-22
3/26/26 update: An evidentiary hearing has yet to be scheduled in Germayne & 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. Judge Starr says the earliest the jury will return is 4/13/26. During the hearing on March 26, the state made it clear they will not dismiss and refile the case to avoid an evidentiary hearing. Next motion hearing on 4/1/26 @ 11am. 3/26/26 Docket updates: Notice: Sealed Document, Juror emails by State & defense.
4/1/26 Update: Status conference hearing held. 4/1/26 Docket update: State's Notice of disclosure. Next jury back on 4/13/26 @ 1:30pm or it could be another hearing. 4/3/26 Docket update: Defendant's Motion to compel & request for sanctions.

 

[tlcya]

I can't believe they released these people on ankle monitors mid trial. freekin bizarre and outrageous.

Ex-Phoenix officer, wife released from jail amid ongoing murder trial

 

[Niner]

On the case calendar part I have skipped over the ones that said "Trial" & just included the hearing dates. Looks like the jury won't be back until May.

Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date/Filing Party
4/11/2026 MOT - Motion - Party (002) 4/13/2026
NOTE: DEFENDANT LISA CUNNINGHAM’S JOINDER IN DEFENDANT GERMAYNE CUNNINGHAM’S MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY AND FOR SANCTIONS.

4/11/2026 NOJ – Notice of Joinder - Party (002) 4/13/2026
NOTE: DEFENDANT LISA CUNNINGHAM’S JOINDER IN DEFENDANT GERMAYNE CUNNINGHAM’S MOTION TO MOTION TO DISMISS WITH PREJUDICE

4/11/2026 MOT - Motion - Party (001) 4/13/2026
NOTE: SUPPLEMENT TO MOTION TO COMPEL


Case Calendar
Date Time Event
4/13/2026 13:30 Trial

4/21/2026 10:30 Status Conference

5/11/2026 10:30 Evidentiary Hearing
5/12/2026 9:00 Evidentiary Hearing
5/13/2026 9:00 Evidentiary Hearing
5/14/2026 10:30 Evidentiary Hearing

5/19/2026 9:00 Trial


link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History

 

[Niner]

Okay - here's a couple of articles on what is going on....

https://eu.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2026/04/13/judge-declares-mistrial-in-child-murder-case-involving-former-phoenix-cop/89599266007/

April 14, 2026

The homicide case involving a former Phoenix police officer and his wife who are accused of murdering their 7-year-old daughter over nine years ago ended in a mistrial after prosecutors discovered glaring issues in how Goodyear police logged and tracked chain-of-custody for evidence.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Patricia Starr called the mistrial over the objections of both prosecutors and defense attorneys after she found no reasonable likelihood of concluding the trial within the time allotted during an April 13 hearing.
[.....]
Attorneys representing the Cunninghams filed motions asking that the case be dismissed with prejudice — meaning prosecutors would be unable to refile the criminal charges. Starr granted Germayne and Lisa Cunningham's request to be released from jail after they spent roughly 7 and a half years behind bars while the matter was being adjudicated.

Prosecutors objected to those motions, arguing that any issues with the Goodyear police’s evidence logs were insufficient to warrant dismissal.
[.....]
Starr had the jury enter the courtroom before explaining that she had called a mistrial in the case and thanked them for their service.

She then set the next hearing for April 21 at 10:30 a.m. to discuss other unresolved legal issues and scheduled a series of evidentiary hearings to further investigate the scope of Goodyear police’s evidence issues beginning on May 11.

“I don’t want this to drag out,” Starr said. “Because ultimately, I’m going to have to rule on the motion to dismiss before the parties know what’s going to be happening with any retrial.”

So since the judge dismissed the jury - I guess they will have jury selection again beginning May 19th....

 

[Niner]

Here's another article

Judge declares mistrial in major child murder case because of evidence issues

A judge declared a mistrial in a high-profile child murder case against Lisa and Germaine Cunningham that started over six months ago.

www.abc15.com

 

[Niner]

ocket updates:

Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date/Filing Party
4/16/2026 012 - ME: Trial - Party (001) 4/16/2026
4/16/2026 012 - ME: Trial - Party (002) 4/16/2026
4/16/2026 SUA - Subpoena And Affidavit Of Service - Party (001) 4/17/2026
NOTE: State Of Arizona vs. Cunningham, et.al.; Patricia Starr
4/16/2026 SUA - Subpoena And Affidavit Of Service - Party (001) 4/17/2026
NOTE: State Of Arizona vs. Cunningham, et.al.; Patricia Starr
4/16/2026 SDT - Subpoena Duces Tecum - Party (001) 4/17/2026
NOTE: AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE

4/15/2026 SND - Supplemental Notice Of Disclosure - Party (001) 4/16/2026
NOTE: STATE’S SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE OF DISCLOSURE
4/15/2026 SND - Supplemental Notice Of Disclosure - Party (002) 4/16/2026
NOTE: STATE’S SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE OF DISCLOSURE

4/14/2026 RMR - Response to Defendant's Motion - Party (001) 4/15/2026
NOTE: STATE’S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO COMPEL AND REQUEST FOR SANCTIONS

4/13/2026 SUA - Subpoena And Affidavit Of Service - Party (001) 4/14/2026
NOTE: State Of Arizona vs. Cunningham, et.al.; Patricia Starr
4/13/2026 SUA - Subpoena And Affidavit Of Service - Party (001) 4/14/2026
NOTE: State Of Arizona vs. Cunningham, et.al.; Patricia Starr
4/13/2026 WSH - Worksheet - Party (001) 4/17/2026
NOTE: TRIAL / HEARING
4/13/2026 WSH - Worksheet - Party (002) 4/17/2026
NOTE: TRIAL / HEARING


case Calendar
Date Time Event
4/21/2026 10:30 Oral Argument

5/11/2026 10:30 Evidentiary Hearing

5/12/2026 9:00 Evidentiary Hearing

5/13/2026 9:00 Evidentiary Hearing

5/14/2026 10:30 Evidentiary Hearing

5/19/2026 9:00 Trial - not too sure IF trial continues.


link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, April 21st:
*Oral Arguments Hearing (@ 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. Jury was dismissed on 4/13/26.
Trial began on 9/24/25 & went thru 3/17/26. Trial was suspended on 3/18/26; Judge declared a mistrial excused the jurors.
New Trial date set to begin on 5/19/26-maybe!
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 3/26/26 reference post #426 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...opa-county-12-feb-2017-arrests.405007/page-22
4/1/26 Update: Status conference hearing held. 4/1/26 Docket update: State's Notice of disclosure. Next jury back on 4/13/26 @ 1:30pm or it could be another hearing. 4/3/26 Docket update: Defendant's Motion to compel & request for sanctions.
4/11/26 Docket updates: Supplement to Motion to compel filed by State. Defendant Lisa's joinder in defendant Germayne's motion to motion to dismiss with prejudice. Defendant Lisa's joinder in defendant Germayne's motion to compel discovery & for sanctions. Next status conference re oral arguments hearing on 4/21/26 @ 10:30am, Evidentiary hearings on 5/11/26 @ 10:30am, 5/12/26 @ 9am, 5/13/26 @ 9am & on 5/14/26 @ 10:30am, with trial continuing on 5/19/26 @ 9am (maybe).
4/13/26 Docket updates: Worksheet. Note: Trial/Hearing. Subpoena & Affidavit Of Service. State Of Arizona vs. Cunningham, et.al.; Patricia Starr. 4/14/26 docket update: State's response to defendant's motion to compel & request for sanctions. 4/15/26 Docket updates: State' supplemental notice of disclosure. 4/16/26 Docket update: Subpoena Duces Tecum. Affidavit of Service. Subpoena & Affidavit Of Service. State Of Arizona vs. Cunningham, et.al.; Patricia Starr.

 

[Niner]

Not finding any articles on what happened yesterday.... so! Going to "assume" the next hearing is on 5/11.

Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date/Filing Party
4/20/2026 MOT - Motion - Party (002) 4/21/2026
NOTE: MOTION TO SUBSTITUTE LEAD DEFENSE COUNSEL AND REQUEST TO SUBSTITUTE CURRENT KNAPP COUNSEL DAN RAYNAK

4/20/2026 SUA - Subpoena And Affidavit Of Service - Party (001) 4/21/2026
NOTE: State Of Arizona vs. Cunningham, et.al.; Patricia Starr

4/20/2026 SUA - Subpoena And Affidavit Of Service - Party (001) 4/21/2026
NOTE: State Of Arizona vs. Cunningham, et.al.; Patricia Starr

4/20/2026 REL - Reply - Party (001) 4/21/2026
NOTE: Reply Motion to Compel

4/20/2026 SUA - Subpoena And Affidavit Of Service - Party (001) 4/21/2026
NOTE: State Of Arizona vs. Cunningham, et.al.; Patricia Starr

4/20/2026 SUA - Subpoena And Affidavit Of Service - Party (001) 4/21/2026
NOTE: State Of Arizona vs. Cunningham, et.al.; Patricia Starr

Case Calendar
Date Time Event
5/11/2026 10:30 Evidentiary Hearing

5/12/2026 9:00 Evidentiary Hearing

5/13/2026 9:00 Evidentiary Hearing

5/14/2026 10:30 Evidentiary Hearing

9/8/2026 8:30 Pre-Trial Conference

9/15/2026 9:00 Trial


link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History

 

[joe jones]

MSN

 

[Niner]

Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date/Filing Party
4/24/2026 598 - ME: Continuance Past last Day - Party (001) 4/24/2026
4/24/2026 598 - ME: Continuance Past last Day - Party (002) 4/24/2026
4/24/2026 ROD - Record of Distribution - Party (002) 4/24/2026
NOTE: Record of Distribution

4/22/2026 NOT - Notice - Party (001) 4/23/2026
NOTE: Notice of Violation of Release Conditions and Request to Modify Release
4/22/2026 RES - Response - Party (001) 4/23/2026
NOTE: MOTION TO STRIKE MOTION TO REVOKE RELEASE CONDITIONS (FILED BY VICTIM)
4/22/2026 MOT - Motion - Party (002) 4/23/2026
NOTE: DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR IN CAMERA INSPECTION OF GOODYEAR POLICE DEPARTMENT WORK PRODUCT DOCUMENTS
4/22/2026 OFS - Order for Substitution of Counsel - Party (002) 4/23/2026

Case Calendar
Date Time Event
4/28/2026 13:30 Status Conference

5/11/2026 10:30 Evidentiary Hearing
5/12/2026 9:00 Evidentiary Hearing
5/13/2026 9:00 Evidentiary Hearing
5/14/2026 10:30 Evidentiary Hearing

9/8/2026 8:30 Pre-Trial Conference

9/15/2026 9:00 Trial


link: https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa....rtCases/caseInfo.asp?caseNumber=CR2017-006221