ROANOKE, VA – “The wheels of justice are slow, but we are on the train to a victorious ending for this,” Isaac Cunningham’s mom Kierston Cole said.
It’s been seven months since 15-year-old Isaac Cunningham was shot and killed on his walk home from school - and a hearing Friday marked a big step forward for his family.
“We got our first victory, it’s our first victory,” Cole said.
The minor suspect appeared before a judge in juvenile and domestic relations court for the first time to decide if the case would be transferred to adult court.
We are choosing not to name the suspect at this time, given their age, until all court proceedings to move the case to circuit court are finalized.
It was the first time Isaac’s mom, Kierston Cole, came face to face with the suspect, who is charged with first-degree murder.
“He’s so young. That went through my mind. A lot of questions of why,” Cole said.
Media wasn’t allowed in the courtroom, but Cole says the hearing was filled with emotion.
She tells us police body cam audio from the day Isaac was killed was presented as evidence.
“I had never heard it before. It was the most gut-wrenching, heartbreaking thing that anybody, any parent could have to listen through or sit through,” she said.
Cole tells us in the audio, she was able to hear Isaac’s voice one last time - telling police who shot him.
“He did what he was supposed to do. He told. He let them know who did it, he answered all their questions, he cooperated with them to get us to this point. I was proud,” she said.
The judge motioned to send the case to circuit court, which the Commonwealth’s Attorneys Office confirmed to 10 News.
They also stated that the case must still go before a grand jury and that the suspect’s defense has noted an appeal.
“I’m very optimistic,” Cole said.
Cole tells us this is a step towards justice.
“It opens up the sentencing guidelines, and he’s able to get more time,” she said.
Although there’s still a long road ahead before a trial, Cole remains hopeful after seeing a packed courtroom filled with supporters wearing orange for gun violence and bullying awareness.
“It gives me strength, because he was strong,” she said.
