Dayton man sentenced to prison for fatally stabbing man, selling belongings

DAYTON — A 41-year-old Dayton man was sentenced to a total of 34 years to life in prison on Monday following the fatal stabbing of a man in an apartment complex.

Laron N. Cunningham was convicted of the murder and robbery of 60-year-old Michael Oliver, whose body was discovered in December of 2018, according to a release from Montgomery County Prosecuting Attorney Mat Heck, Jr.

In 2018, Cunningham was “found trespassing in an apartment building” the release said.

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He then claimed he needed medical attention, and while at the hospital he made statements about killing a man at an apartment at the Wilkinson Apartments.

Based on this information, police were dispatched and found Oliver stabbed to death in his apartment.

Cunningham sold Oliver’s possessions so that he could buy cocaine, the the prosecutor’s office said.

The release stated “Evidence, including DNA, video surveillance, and the defendant’s own words confirm the defendant was responsible for Michael Oliver’s death.”

On April 2, 2019, the Montgomery County Grand Jury indicted Cunningham on multiple felony counts, which included repeat violent offender specifications

He was previously convicted of robbery, aggravated robbery and felonious assault.

On April 16, 2021, after a trial, the jury returned verdicts of guilty on counts including murder, felonious assault, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, and burglary.

On Monday, he was convicted of repeat violent offender specifications, the prosecutor’s office said.

Cunningham was then sentenced to life in prison, and will not be eligible for consideration of parole until he has served at least 34 years.

Cox Media Group