Danielle Locklear's ex-boyfriend indicted for first-degree murder
HOPE MILLS (WTVD) -- A grand jury has indicted a Cumberland County man in the 2014 death of Hope Mills teen, Danielle Locklear.
Je'Michael Malloy, 19, is now facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of his ex-girlfriend. The indictment was handed down earlier this week.
In April 2014, Malloy confessed to killing Locklear soon after the 15-year-old's body was discovered in the South River.
The murder took place in March 2014. Malloy and his friend, then 18-year-old Dominic Lock, originally faced second-degree murder charges in the case.
Lock, who is accused of helping to discard Locklear's body, pleaded guilty to a first-degree murder accessory charge earlier last month, which carries a maximum of eight years in prison.
Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West said Lock would not be sentenced until Malloy's case is resolved.
In court last month, the D.A.'s office mentioned threatening text messages sent from Malloy to Locklear in the hours leading up to her murder. The evidence cements the legal ground for proving intent, which would support the first-degree murder charge.
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Malloy, who has remained in jail since his 2014 confession, is still in the Cumberland County Detention under a $500,000 bond.
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According to the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office, Malloy is not eligible to receive the death penalty. His case will most likely go to trial, but his first administrative court date is October 7th.
Locklear's family had long fought for first degree murder charges in the case. On Wednesday they declined interviews, but through a family spokesman said they were "pleased with the upgraded charges," and "hopeful justice will be served." They also said they were thankful for community support and prayers.
