ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – An airman who was convicted yesterday of killing his 6-month-old son has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.
James Cunningham, 26, was found guilty Thursday of murder in the March 2020 death of his son, Zachariah. Prosecutors said Cunningham lied three times before confessing to punching him. They say medical evidence showed the baby died from being shaken and hit multiple times.
Friday, a military judge sentenced Cunningham to the prison time, which he will serve in a military prison.
Cunningham will also be reduced to the grade of Airman Basic, forfeit all pay and allowances, and be discharged from the U.S. Air Force with a Dishonorable Discharge.
