Man sentenced to two life terms for murdering pregnant cousin and friend

Edward Bland Jr., 38, has been sentenced to two life terms in prison with no possibility of parole for the April 2024 murders of Leann Renee Harris, 34, and Asia Payne, 22. Harris was a mother of three and was four months pregnant at the time of her death.

Bland was convicted of aggravated murder, including "murder of a pregnant victim to terminate her pregnancy."

Key Takeaways:

• Edward Bland Jr. was given two life sentences in prison with no possibility of parole.

• He was convicted of aggravated murder, including the "murder of a pregnant victim to terminate her pregnancy."

• One of his victims was his cousin, who considered him to be her best friend.

• Homicide is a leading cause of death among pregnant women.

The Details:

On April 2, 2024, Prince William County, Virginia. police received two separate calls from an apartment complex. One reported a carjacking, which is what led to Bland's arrest, and the other caller said a man was seen running through the parking lot with a gun.

While on the scene of the stolen vehicle, the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office relayed a message that Bland, whom they had located 70 miles away along with the vehicle, was not only linked to the carjacking but had also confessed to a double murder.

After tracing Bland’s last location, the police returned to the apartment complex to find Harris and Payne both deceased with gunshot wounds to the head. 

James Caison, Harris’ father, told WUSA9 he had heard the news from one of his sons. "He was just crying. I was like, 'What's going on?' He was like, 'Lele's gone, someone killed her.' I was like, 'What?' I was just like so, so weak," he said. "She meant a lot. Everyone loved her."

He added that it made it even worse when he found out that Bland was the one accused of the murders. "They were cousins. But they considered themselves the best of friends. That was her best friend," he said. 

While a motive has not been given, according to the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney, Bland was convicted of aggravated assault, including the "murder of a pregnant victim to terminate her pregnancy."

Bland was also found guilty of aggravated murder killing more than one person, second-degree murder, carjacking, and three counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He has been sentenced to two life terms without parole, as well as 74 years with 15 years suspended.

“This was a horrible and senseless crime. The defendant took the lives of two innocent people, one of whom was pregnant," said Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth. "The families have suffered unimaginably, and we are appreciative of their patience and support as we vigorously pursued justice on their behalf. We hope they find peace now that the guilt phase of the trial has concluded.”

During the emotional sentencing, family members of both victims spoke. Angela Payne, Asia's mother, told Bland, "I forgive you for killing my baby."

May Twyman, Leann's mother, said, "I pray he never sees the light of day and may God have mercy on his soul."

The Bottom Line:

Homicide is a leading cause of death among pregnant women.

Research shows that women in the U.S. who are pregnant or have recently given birth are more likely to die by homicide carried out by an intimate partner than to die from pregnancy-related causes. Researchers from the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor found that U.S. women who are pregnant or were pregnant in the past 42 days die by murder at more than twice the rate that they die of bleeding or placental disorders, which are the leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths.

According to research, most pregnancy-associated homicides are "linked to the lethal combination of intimate partner violence and firearms. Preventing men's violence towards women, including gun violence, could save the lives of hundreds of women and their unborn children in the US every year."