Cunningham, 39, was convicted May 6 on 11 counts of aggravated murder, felony murder, felonious assault, having weapons under disability and tampering with evidence.
Family members of the victims sobbed and one woman slapped her leg in a look of frustration as the sentence was read. Cunningham showed no emotion as the judge imposed the sentence.
Amie Morris, a friend of Jessica Serna’s, said she didn’t feel justice was served.
“(Cunningham) still got a second chance, he’s still breathing, eating, talking to his family,” said Morris. “This is the worst pain I’ve been through in my whole entire life.”
Tiffany Ridder, also a friend of Serna’s and Shook’s, said she was bothered by Cunningham’s lack of remorse during the proceedings.
“It makes it really hard to forgive because of him not saying, ‘I’m sorry,’ ” she said.
Serna, 27, and Shook, 28, were found shot on North Street just east of Water Street shortly before 3 a.m. Oct. 4, 2008.
Shook was pronounced dead at the scene; Serna died at Miami Valley Hospital a day later.
Defense attorney William Merrell declined to comment.
Clark County Prosecutor Stephen Schumaker expressed disappointment at the outcome.
“We obviously agree with the jury’s recommendation,” he said. “We respect the court’s ruling.”
Cunningham will be sent to Orient for processing, then assigned a facility where he will serve his sentence, officials said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0360 or vlough@coxohio.com.
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