A man has been charged with murder after allegedly stabbing his girlfriend, the step-granddaughter of Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman, to death on a Manhattan street. Lamar Davenport, 30, was found reportedly yelling, "Get out, devils! I cast you out, devils! In the name of Jesus Christ, I cast you out!" while attacking E'Dena Hines early Sunday morning.
The Post's law enforcement sources describe the murder as an exorcism, telling the tabloid that Davenport "was in the throes of a drug-induced psychosis when he came after her. 'Jesus Christ is born!' he shouted maniacally over her body." A neighbor who heard and saw the commotion "begged" 911 for help to come quickly, saying, "The girl was making a lot of noise, screaming."
The stabbing took place on West 162nd Street, near St. Nicholas Avenue, in Washington Heights, around 3 a.m., a few buildings from where Hines and Davenport lived. Another witness told the Daily News that the stabber "was totally off the wrench. He had totally snapped. It was just really scary."
Hines, 33, was stabbed 16 times and was pronounced dead at Harlem Hospital. Davenport was taken to Columbia-NY Presbyterian for medical evaluation.
A friend of the couple had dinner with them early, on Saturday night. Ray Rosario spoke to the Daily Beast yesterday, "I’ve never seen E’Dena as happy as she was last night... I’m still trying to come to grips with what happened. I’m caught between the hate I have for him, my love for him being my brother, and my heart breaking for her.”
Hines, whose mother was adopted by Freeman during his first marriage, was an actress who had recently filmed an independent movie called Landing Up. She wrote on her blog that she had left New York two years ago, because she felt "unfulfilled," and taught in Memphis. But after auditioning and getting the role in the film, "My dream has come true and its just beginning. Life can make you want to give up or walk away; sometimes it gives you the strength to appreciate when you do get your happy ending."
Morgan Freeman released a statement saying, "The world will never know her artistry and talent, and how much she had to offer. Her friends and family were fortunate enough to have known what she meant as a person. Her star will continue to shine bright in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. May she rest in peace."
