The man who stood accused of murdering Morgan Freeman's step-granddaughter has been found not guilty of murder.
Rapper Lamar Davenport was convicted of manslaughter after his defence team successfully argued that he was in a state of drug induced psychosis at the time of the attack in 2015 in which E'Dena Hines was stabbed multiple times.
Davenport's team had argued that the psychosis was brought on by his use of PCP. A man who testified at the trial said that whilst Davenport brutally stabbed the 33-year-old Hines to death in the street he shouted: "I love you. I have always loved you. God would have wanted this."
After he was given sedatives at hospital following the attack he realised what he had done and showed immediate remorse.
The two had been living together in an expensive apartment in Manhattan that was paid for by Freeman. During the trial the jury heard about allegations that Hines and Freeman were in a relationship with one another.
Davenport and Hines had a tempestuous relationship at the best of time, Davenport had fathered other children over the course of their relationship and had a drug problem that eventually caused the psychotic attack that resulted in the tragic death of Hines.
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He could be looking at around 25 years in prison for his crime.
Justice Ellen Biben agreed with the defence's argument that he was in a state of reduced emotional capacity at the time of the death due to drugs. She didn't further explain her ruling.
After the ruling, Hines' mother, Deena Adair, left the courtroom without speaking.
Adair was adopted by Freeman after he married her mother, Jeanette Adair Bradshaw. The 80-year-old actor issued an affadavit to the court in which he said: "Throughout E'Dena's entire lifetime, my daughter Deena Adair and I were the primary sources of support for E'Dena financially, emotionally, mentally and physically."
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During the trial it was alleged that Freeman and Hines had been involved in an on/off sexual relationship.
He had previously denied those rumours years ago when he said: "The recent reports of any pending marriage or romantic relationship of me to anyone are defamatory fabrications from the tabloid media designed to sell papers.
"What is even more alarming is that these fabrications are now being picked up by the legitimate press as well."
Davenport remained still and calm in his seat as the verdict was returned.
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Topics: Film, US News, New York, Morgan Freeman, court