Ernest Cunningham Sentenced for Second-Degree Murder

DENVER — Denver District Attorney John Walsh has announced that Ernest Cunningham has been sentenced to 42 years in prison.  On December 22 of last year, a jury convicted Cunningham of Second-Degree Murder.

On June 29, 2024, Cunningham shot and killed 23-year-old Kelsey Roberts at her home in southeast Denver. Cunningham was intending to confront Roberts’ husband but instead shot Roberts when she came to her front door.

“Kelsey Roberts was a young woman with her whole life ahead of her who would be with us today were it not for Ernest Cunningham.  Today’s sentence ensures that Cunningham will pay a heavy price for his horrific actions,” said DA Walsh.  “I want to thank the prosecutors, investigators and victim advocates in my office, as well Detective Gavin Whitman with the Denver Police Department’s Homicide Unit, whose great work brought about the successful resolution of this case.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Matt James and Associate Deputy District Attorney Makayla Samour led the prosecution team for the Denver DA’s Office.

About the Denver DA’s Office:

The mission of the Denver DA’s Office is to protect the community, to seek equal justice for all, and to improve the quality and fairness of criminal justice on behalf of the people of Colorado. We achieve that mission through excellence in our work investigating and prosecuting crime, supporting victims and their families, working with the community to prevent crime, and providing fair alternatives to incarceration in appropriate cases.

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