Rapper boyfriend of is charged with second-degree murder in ‘cocaine-fueled exorcism’
THE rapper boyfriend of Morgan Freeman’s step-granddaughter has been charged with second-degree murder after she was fatally stabbed on a Manhattan sidewalk in an apparent cocaine-fueled exorcism.
Police said on Monday that Lamar Davenport, 30, is accused of killing E’Dena Hines, 33, who was found with multiple stab wounds to the chest near her New York home in Washington Heights early on Sunday morning.
Davenport was in a relationship with Miss Hines, who was found in front of her apartment building on West 162nd Street and was pronounced dead at Harlem Hospital, officers added.
George Hudacko, 65, who saw the 3am attack from his window and called 911, said Davenport was stabbing Hines and screaming: ‘Get out, devils. In the name of Jesus Christ, I cast you out.’
Davenport, an aspiring actor with a criminal record and a history of drug abuse, was said to be reciting Bible verses before being dragged from his girlfriend’s body - which had 16 stab wounds.
He was taken to the New York’s Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center to undergo psychological testing before being questioned by police. Miss Hines, who is the granddaughter of Morgan Freeman’s first wife Jeanette Adair Bradshaw, was a regular on the red carpet with the Academy Award-winning actor and also appeared in a number of movies herself.
Morgan, 78, who was once forced to deny a romantic relationship with Hines, said last night: ‘The world will never know her artistry in talent. Her star will continue to shine bright in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. May she rest in peace.’
He added: ‘I want to acknowledge the tremendous outpouring of love and support my family has received regarding the tragic and senseless passing of my granddaughter E’Dena Hines. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
Miss Hines, who was very close to Freeman, played the part of a receptionist in 5 Flights Up, which came out in May and starred Freeman and Diane Keaton.
Witness Brydon Tarafa, 28, told Dailymail.com that he was in his apartment when he heard a man maniacally shouting ‘Jesus Christ is born’, shortly after a woman screamed.
According to Davenport’s Facebook, he used to work for an auto parts shop and studied English Literature at New York University.
He was trying to become a rapper, performing under the nickname Lyric.
One witness to the murder described the demented scene, which unfolded around 3am.
‘Get out, devils! I cast you out, devils! In the name of Jesus Christ, I cast you out!,’ the boyfriend screamed, said George Hudacko, 65, who saw the attack from his window in Washington Heights and called 911.
Witnesses told The New York Post that the man continued to stab Hines’ lifeless body until police arrested him. When officers arrived, he was reportedly still making the stabbing motion while the knife was stuck in her chest - and he didn’t have anything in his fist.
A law enforcement source also told the newspaper he may have been high on cocaine at the time.
They added that he has six past arrests for crimes including marijuana possession and petit larceny, and has two children.
