Dayton, OH – A man has been found guilty of multiple counts of murder for the deadly shooting of his pregnant ex-girlfriend, her unborn child, and a 16-year-old boy during a violent attack inside a Dayton home last year.
Guilty Verdict on 10 Charges
Nicole “Nico” Cunigan was convicted on 10 counts, including murder and felonious assault, in connection with the deaths of 32-year-old Precious Taste, her unborn baby, and 16-year-old Deante Johnson. The verdict followed a trial that recounted a disturbing chain of events on the morning of May 22, 2024.
According to WHIO News, prosecutors said Cunigan broke into Taste’s Dayton home at around 6 a.m. while her children were inside. He opened fire, shooting Taste as she ran down the stairs. Johnson, a family friend, was later found dead in a bed under the covers.
Children Inside During Shooting
Authorities revealed that an adult and Taste’s 4-year-old twins were also in the home during the shooting but were not physically harmed. The brutal attack sent shockwaves through the community and left families mourning a senseless loss.
Prosecutors detailed how Taste was approximately four months pregnant at the time of her death. They described a troubled relationship between her and Cunigan, which had deteriorated into obsession and threats after their breakup.
Disturbing Threats Before the Attack
Evidence presented in court included a string of threatening text messages Cunigan sent to Taste. One message read:
“I’m watching your every movement. You better not touch anyone else.”
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Schoen argued these messages illustrated Cunigan’s state of mind leading up to the killings.
Family Devastation and Community Outcry
Johnson’s mother, Jennifer Louis, expressed heartbreak over her son’s death, noting he had nothing to do with the conflict between Cunigan and Taste.
“Why go after a 16-year-old that you didn’t even know?” Louis asked in an emotional interview. “People will never be the same anymore… we will never be the same.”
Taste’s mother, speaking after the verdict, said she was relieved justice had been served but devastated that her daughter’s children are now without a mother.
“The kids still don’t have a mother so it’s been very rough,” she said.
Sentencing Scheduled
After the murders, Cunigan fled the area and was arrested nearly two months later in Cleveland. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 29 and could face decades in prison for the killings.
Do you think Ohio’s sentencing laws go far enough for cases like this? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
