Boyfriend Charged in Stabbing Death of Morgan Freeman's Granddaughter: NYPD

The boyfriend of Morgan Freeman's granddaughter is facing murder charges after she was found with fatal stab wounds on an upper Manhattan street early on Sunday.

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Lamar Davenport, 30, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of E'Dena Hines, 33. Police say they found Hines unresponsive with stab wounds to her body after responding to a call in front of her apartment building on West 162nd Street in Washington Heights.

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She was taken to Harlem Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Witnesses described hearing Hines' screams as the suspect stood over her. One said he was making religious statements reminiscent of an exorcism. 

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"'I cast you out, in the name of Jesus Christ, I cast you out' -- he was saying that through the whole thing," the witness said. 

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Davenport was cuffed at the scene after the stabbing and was taken to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation. It

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Neighbor Emily Battle was stunned to learn of the violence so close to home. 

"My heart sank, to hear that someone as I was sleeping was killed, was horrifying," she said. 

Freeman mourned Hines in a statement Sunday, 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."

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The actor also thanked fans for the "tremendous outpouring of love and support" following news of Hines' death in a post on his Facebook page.

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Hines shared Freeman's love of acting, and appeared in a small role in "12 Flights Up", a drama starring her grandfather and Diane Keaton. She studied at New York University's graduate acting program, according to her website.

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She also taught urban youth in her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, according to her website.

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Freeman's publicist said Sunday that Hines was technically the actor's step-granddaughter but that he always referred to her as his granddaughter. She is the daughter of Freeman's first wife.

Police initially said that she was his goddaughter.

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It was unclear if Davenport has an attorney.  

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