Boyfriend of Morgan Freeman’s Granddaughter Will Appear in Court
Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Penfold filed for the arraignment of Lamar Davenport for the murder of Edena Hines, Morgan Freeman's step-granddaughter from his first wife. It was around 3 a.m. on Sunday, when police officers from the NYPD responded to a 911 call and found Hines. The 33-year old actress was stabbed multiple times in the chest, liver and lungs, and was pronounced dead at Harlem Hospital.
When the police arrived at the scene, they found 30-year old Davenport standing over Hines' lifeless body. They arrested him and then brought him to Bellevue Hospital Center for a psychiatric evaluation.
"This is a brutal murder with overwhelming evidence, where the defendant intentionally killed the victim", Penfold stated. There were several witnesses to the crime and a surveillance video captured the incident.
"Police officers arrived on scene and found the defendant still on the scene, standing over the victim with a knife still protruding from the chest", he said to Judge Kevin McGrath.
According to court papers, a witness talked to the police, saying that Davenport pulled Hines to the street. Then, she was on the ground and Davenport was over her, "repeatedly stabbing the woman in the back and torso". Witness statements also claimed that he was carrying out an "exorcism".
The accused didn't enter a plea and the attorney handling his case, Annie Costanzo, stated that she would wait for the case to be indicted and handed over to Supreme Court before she asks for bail.
The vicious killing shocked a lot of people acquainted with the couple.
"The whole thing came out of nowhere", said Tami Dunn, Hines' friend. "No one expected this".
However, other people knew of Davenport's troubled past - less serious legal cases, including at least six arrests. He was charged with petit larceny, marijuana possession and cocaine possession, among other issues.
Hines' friend said that Edena was aware of these things, but it was clear that she didn't mind because she cared for him.
On the other hand, Morgan Freeman posted on Facebook, thanking everyone who showed support.
"I want to acknowledge the tremendous outpouring of love and support my family has received regarding the tragic and senseless passing of my granddaughter Edena Hines. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. -M".
