Domestic Batterer Conviction

WCDA Announces Recent Jury Trial Outcome

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office has announced that Clarence Edward Cunningham, age 54, from Reno has been convicted on one count of Felony Battery Constituting Domestic Violence by a Parolee after the completion of a four-day jury trial that began in early June. Sentencing is set for July 27, 2021, in Department 3 of the Second Judicial District Court and Cunningham faces up to 6 years in prison.  

Cunningham was arrested by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) after deputies responded to a family disturbance. The twenty-year-old male caller reported that his elderly grandmother was being battered by her boyfriend and was injured. When deputies arrived on scene they located the female victim with obvious injuries to her right hand. Further investigation determined that Cunningham had battered the victim and thrown her out of their shared residence. Cunningham, who was on parole at the time for attempted burglary, was arrested for domestic battery and for failing to register as an ex-felon. He ultimately pled not-guilty and the case proceeded to trial.

During trial, Deputy District Attorney Brett Dieffenbach presented evidence of a battery committed by Cunningham against his long-term girlfriend during an extended and intense argument captured on a 911 call made by the eye-witness.