Upstate New York man pleads guilty to raping and killing 3-year-old girl

TROY, NY (TCN) — A 34-year-old man pleaded guilty to the sexual assault and murder of a young girl one year after his arrest.

Fisher was initially arrested for obstruction of governmental administration, resisting arrest and criminal damage. After the investigation, he was additionally charged with aggravated sexual abuse, assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

A grand jury indicted him on second-degree murder and first-degree rape on July 28, 2023. WRGB-TV reports that Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly said in a press conference following Fisher’s arraignment in August 2023 that the case was “absolutely heinous and horrific.”

Fisher reportedly knew Cunningham’s family and had a previous criminal record.

His sentencing is scheduled for August 6.