(JEFFERSON, MD) – Maryland State Police Homicide investigators have arrested and charged the grand-daughter of Lillie Morris, earlier this afternoon, in connection with her December 22, 2014 murder.
The accused is identified as Hestina Lakeisha Harris, 19, of the 5406 Burkittsville Road, Jefferson, Maryland. She is charged with first degree murder, second degree murder and first degree assault. She has been taken to Frederick County Detention Center and is awaiting her initial appearance before a court commissioner.
The victim, identified as Lillie Morris, 67, of the 5400-block of Burkittsville Road, Jefferson, Maryland was found lying in the front yard of her residence. It was later determined that Ms. Morris sustained multiple stab wounds. An autopsy was completed by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore. The manner of death has been ruled a homicide.
Harris was arrested on Christmas Eve without incident at a family member’s residence. The arrest was made after investigators consulted the Frederick County’s States Attorney’s Office and briefing them on the progress of the case.
On December 22, 2014 just before 3:00 p.m., troopers from the Frederick Barrack responded to a 9-1-1 call from a motorist in the grandmother’s front yard on Burkittsville Road, near Jefferson, Md. The caller said she saw someone lying in the front yard of the residence with no one around.
Responding troopers found a woman lying in the yard who had sustained trauma to her body. Ms. Morris was pronounced dead in route to the hospital by Frederick County emergency medical personnel.
Troopers and deputies from Frederick County and Washington County Sheriffs’ Offices established a perimeter and searched the area for possible suspects, with negative results.
Maryland State Police crime scene technicians processed the scene for evidence. Investigators are continuing to follow up all investigative leads. Anyone with any information is urged to contact Maryland State Police at 301-600-4150. This investigation is continuing. All callers may anonymous.