Verdict in on killing of Morgan Freeman's granddaughter
A man from the US has been found guilty of stabbing to death Morgan Freeman’s step-granddaughter E’dena Hines.
Judge Ellen Biben convicted Lamar Davenport, Hines’ boyfriend, on lesser manslaughter charges for knifing her 25 times on a sidewalk in full view of pedestrians and neighbours in August 2015.
Davenport’s lawyers argued that their client, who stood on trial for murder charges, attacked the granddaughter of Morgan Freeman’s second wife, in an attack that occurred after using hallucinogen PCP.
During the three-week trial, eyewitnesses who watched as Davenport knifed his 33-year-old girlfriend in the chest multiple times, shared their testimony.
Hines’ estranged biological mum, Deena Adair, took to the stand to emotionally recount how they were reconnecting in the days prior to her death.
Hines’ mother was in court on Monday to hear the verdict from Judge Biben.
Hines, who has no blood relation to Morgan Freeman, was raised by the actor’s second wife, Myrna Colley-Lee.
Previously, Freeman and Hines were inundated with rumours that they had a sexual relationship.
During Davenport’s trial, the affair was confirmed when lawyers for both the defence and prosecution stipulated that Hines had “disclosed to Lamar Davenport and others that her grandfather engaged in a sexually inappropriate relationship with her.”
It is unknown when the relationship took place and where it occurred.
Davenport’s lawyers requested for Biben to find Davenport guilty of a lesser manslaughter charge after he did not meet the guidelines for the defence of not guilty by reason of insanity.
Prosecutors argued that Davenport fully intended to kill Hines as he attacked no one else in the street and the couple had previously smoked PCP together without incident.
Davenport will receive his sentencing on May 29 and could face up to 25 years in jail.