COMPTON, Ca — A 66-year-old man pleaded guilty to killing his wife of more than 30 years by slitting her throat.
Deputy District Attorney Van Ha said Henry Cunningham of Compton entered the plea to one count of second-degree murder.
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 4. Cunningham faces 15 years to life in state prison as a result of his plea.
On Dec. 17, 2018, Melanie Cunningham, 58, and her 1-year-old granddaughter were asleep inside their bedroom when the defendant grabbed a kitchen knife and slit her throat, killing her, the prosecutor said.
A motive for the killing remains unknown.
The victim celebrated her 58th birthday a day earlier, and the couple had a birthday party that night, according to a family member.
The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Compton Station.
