Two family members are facing felony charges after an alleged domestic incident turned violent Tuesday night.
28-year-old Dahshawna L. Cunningham and 48-year-old Keith A. Cunningham made video appearances in Knox County Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon. Judge Raymond A. Cavanaugh set bond at $75,000 for Dahshawna and $3,000 for Keith.
Dahshawna’s charges are the most serious. She faces three aggravated battery to a peace officer charges for allegedly biting, pulling the hair, and punching a Galesburg Police officer. Those Class Two felonies. If convicted and sentenced, they carry a three to seven year sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections. She also faces a felony count of resisting an officer causing injuries, and misdemeanor charges of resisting and criminal damage to property.
Keith faces only one felony charge of aggravated domestic battery, for allegedly choking Deshawna to the point she lost consciousness. That is a Class Two felony and carries the same possible prison sentence of three to seven years if convicted. Additional charges to him include misdemeanor domestic battery, resisting a police officer, and obstruction.
Both were arrested the night before after police officers were called out to the 600-block of Home Boulevard for a report of two women fighting. According to reports, officers arrived on scene and identified Keith Cunningham and another family member were in what appeared to be a heated exchange.
Officers attempted to intervene and investigate the report, but allegedly Keith was being obstructive to officers. He would be arrested.
Reports indicate that Dahshawna Cunningham had battered an officer, pulled their hair, and bitten their hand, breaking the skin. That officer was treated for their injuries.
Both individuals were taken to the Knox County Jail, where Dashawna would tell police during questioning that Keith had choked her causing her to lose consciousness.
The Public Defender’s office was appointed by Judge Cavanaugh to represent Dahshawna. Her bond was set at the amount recommended by Assistant State’s Attorney Sabrina Stroops. He said he based that decision on the injuries sustained to the arresting officer.
In addition as part of Keith’s condition of bail, he was to have no contact with Deshawna and to not possess a firearm or other dangerous weapon.
Both Cunninghams will be back in Knox County Court on January 7th at 2:00 p.m.
