Joann Cunningham, Mother To Slain 5-year-old Aj Freund, Pleads Guilty To First-degree Murder

The Crystal Lake mother accused of beating and killing 5-year-old AJ Freund pleaded guilty late Thursday morning to first-degree murder. An unshackled JoAnn Cunningham appeared in McHenry County Circuit Court accompanied by armed guards as she entered a guilty plea to one count of first-degree murder alleging that between the dates of April 15 through April 17 Cunningham struck her son knowing it would cause great bodily harm or result in his death. Cunningham whispered the word "guilty." When asked if she would like to say anything further, she paused and her defense attorney, Richard Behof, an assistant public defender, whispered in her ear before she said "not at this time, your honor." Cunningham entered what's known as a blind plea.