People v. Cunningham

The defendant was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder 1 and first-degree kidnapping, 2 and sentenced to two concurrent life sentences. We affirm.

Five-year-old Gloria Pinter disappeared September 26, 1975, on her way home from kindergarten. Later that day, Mrs. Pinter received a telephone call demanding ransom for Gloria’s safe return. After police were notified, subsequent ransom calls were recorded. Voice print analysis indicated that the defendant had made the calls.

Police officers staked out the drop site where Mrs. Pinter had been directed to leave the ransom. After several hours…