Bond increased for ex-boyfriend in Hope Mills girl's death

District Judge David Hasty set a $500,000 bond for Je'Michael Malloy, 17, of Autryville, who is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Danielle Locklear. Malloy's bond had been $100,000.

Prosecutors didn't provide any reason publicly for asking for the higher bond, but the motion came as Locklear's family and friends held a protest outside the Cumberland County Courthouse demanding stiffer charges against Malloy.

Locklear, 15, a freshman at South View High School in Hope Mills, disappeared on March 11, and her body was found April 3 in the South River near the Cumberland-Sampson county line.

Hope Mills police said Malloy has confessed to strangling Locklear during a violent argument, tying her body to cinder blocks and tossing her into the river.

Dominic Lock, 18, of Fayetteville, also is charged with second-degree murder in the case. Investigators said they believe he stuffed a sock down Locklear's throat and helped dispose of her body.

Lock was released after posting a $100,000 bond.

Locklear's family presented a petition with 6,000 signatures to the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office on Tuesday, seeking that the charges against Malloy be upgraded to first-degree murder and a higher bond be set.

"We want the bond increased. We don't want him to be able to get out," said Chena Papa, Locklear's aunt. "There's one that's already out right now. We don't want a chance for Je'Michael to be able to get out."

Rowna Fowler, Locklear's mother, said the family knows it will have to fight for what it believes is justice for her daughter.

"It's something that we're going to have to deal with," Fowler said. "All I have to say is I just love the support of my family and friends and the love from the community – from Fayetteville, the police department, everything – but justice will be done."

Locklear's funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Manna Church on Cliffdale Road.