HOPE MILLS, N.C. – The teen charged with killing his Hope Mills teen ex-girlfriend accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree murder Friday morning in Cumberland County court.
The second-degree murder charge carries a sentence of at least 25 years in prison.
Je’Michael Malloy is accused of killing 15-year-old Danielle Locklear in March 2014.
Police say Malloy confessed to killing Locklear in July 2015. Police said he and Dominic Lock tied cinder blocks around Locklear’s body and dumped her into the South River just south of Autryville in Sampson County. Her body was discovered on April 2, 2014.
In March, Malloy appeared in court and attorneys were discussing a plea deal that would guarantee him the possibility of parole after 25 years.
The judge gave the defense a month to decide.
Locklear’s family says they want justice in the case and Malloy’s father has apologized for his son.
“Ain’t nothing I can say, but I’m just sorry. Sorry about all of this. Wish it never would have happened,” Willie Malloy said.
Malloy is expected to be in a Cumberland County Court Friday morning at 10 a.m.
