A man who stabbed and killed actor Morgan Freeman's step-granddaughter has been sentenced to 20 years in state prison, authorities announced Thursday.
E'Dena Hines, 33, was killed in New York City by her boyfriend, Lamar Davenport, in August 2015. He stabbed her with a knife more than two dozen times while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance previously reported.
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Davenport was convicted of manslaughter in the first degree after a trial at the New York State Supreme Court in May 2018.
"After binging on mind-altering drugs and alcohol, Lamar Davenport's actions were simply horrific," Vance said in a statement at the time. "He knocked Ms. Hines to the ground, pinned her down, and stabbed her an appalling 25 times—including twice through her heart."
The court heard Davenport had kicked Hines over near her Washington Heights apartment building, before stabbing her in the back, abdomen and arms.
He had taken drugs including phencyclidine (PCP), an anesthetic that can cause hallucinations, delusions and paranoia in high doses.
According to People magazine, the couple had discussed taking a break over text messages shown during Davenport's trial. Prosecutors argued he was angry over their potential split.
But defense lawyers said his PCP usage was a factor in the attack. Defense witness Xavier Gardere told the court Davenport screamed "I love you. I always loved you. God would have wanted this," as he stabbed Hines.
The defense also brought up controversial rumors that Hines was previously engaged in a romantic relationship with her step-grandfather, Freeman. Both Hines and the actor had previously denied the rumors fueled by anonymous quotes in a 2009 National Enquirer article, People reported last May.
Hines is the granddaughter of Freeman's first wife, Jeanette Adair Bradshaw.
"The world will never know her artistry and talent, and how much she had to offer," Freeman previously told People. "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."
"Ambitious and driven, E'Dena Hines was deeply loved by family and friends before her life was brought to a horrific and tragic end by her boyfriend, Lamar Davenport," said Vance in a statement issued Thursday. "I would like to thank the prosecutors in my office for securing a prison sentence commensurate with his extraordinarily violent crime, and offer my sympathies to Ms. Hines' loved ones as they continue to mourn."
Allegations of harassment emerged against the Academy Award-winning actor—best known for movies including The Shawshank Redemption and Driving Miss Daisy—last May. Several women accused Freeman of innappropriate behavior, leading brands to pull several advertisements featuring his distinctive voice.
Freeman apologized at the time for making anyone feel "uncomfortable or disrespected."
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