A Virginia man was arrested and charged in connection to the murder of his neighbor, a young woman with down syndrome who was living on her own for the first time, police said.
David Cunningham is charged with one count of second-degree murder. Prosecutors said that his DNA was found all over the apartment, including the victim’s fingernails and her body. Cunningham confessed the two were sexually involved and claimed it was consensual without intercourse.
His attorney, Damon Colbert, said the suspect and Jones developed a romantic relationship after becoming friends in September.
“This is a genuine whodunit,” Colbert said. “Because he was in her unit, they’ve now pinned this on him. This man should be allowed to go back to the community … to fight for his life.”
The prosecutors suggested Cunningham’s statements were inconsistent during the hearing after his defense made claims that the defendant had a good reason for being in Jones’ apartment.
Cunningham blamed his illogical statements on his drug and alcohol use as a known crack user.
The judge ordered Cunningham to be held without bond on Wednesday. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 18.
According to prosecutors, Melia Jones, 23, was found dead at the Mason at Van Dorn apartment by her father and stepmother three days after being murdered on December 4, NBC Washington reported.
On Wednesday, the prosecution described the heinous killing in court, saying “Jones was found “in bed wrapped in a blanket … with a bag over her head.” They also said there was blood, signs of sexual assault, and multiple clean-up attempts.
“It was an extremely brutal murder,” said Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Maana Parcham. “It was an extremely violent scene.”
The cause of death was strangulation, according to reports from the medical examiner.
Jones worked as a customer service representative at Reagan National and won two employee-of-the-month awards. Airport. She also worked at the Crystal City Marriott and the Fort Belvoir Commissary, earning an employee-of-the-month award.
Neighbor Paul Chauvin said Jones loved music, and they bonded over her impressive dance moves.
“I went over there, and I gave her a hug, and we became pretty decent friends,” he said.
