Man faces upgraded murder charge in deadly April stabbing near Independence Mall

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - A man accused of stabbing another man to death near Independence Mall in April now faces upgraded charges, including first-degree murder.

A New Hanover County grand jury indicted David Eugene Bryan Jr., 35, on first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon charges on June 1, according to court records. He was arrested on the new charges on June 15.

Bryan Jr. was originally charged with second-degree murder in connection with the April 22 stabbing death of 47-year-old Anthony Todd Lane in a wooded area across from Independence Mall.

The indictment accuses Bryan Jr. of stealing a red Electra Townie bicycle valued at approximately $200 from Lane. The indictment states Bryan Jr. used a Razor EDC Lite 3.5-inch knife in the robbery, threatening and endangering Lane’s life.

Lane died while being taken to the hospital after the stabbing, according to the Wilmington Police Department. Prosecutors previously said Lane suffered a massive laceration to his throat and another laceration to his chest.

According to prosecutors, Bryan Jr. and his girlfriend stopped near a donation bin in the parking lot of Independence Mall to steal items. The girlfriend told officers she was going through the bin when Bryan Jr. went across the street into the woods.

Prosecutors said Lane stumbled out of the woods and across the street into the mall parking lot, bleeding heavily from his throat. The girlfriend called 911.

Bryan Jr. later told investigators he went into the woods looking for stolen goods and saw a cart with items, prosecutors said. He said an unknown man with a stick ran toward him and tried to hit him. Bryan Jr. said he pulled out a box cutter and swung upward, adding he did not know whether he struck the man, according to prosecutors.

It was revealed in court that Bryan Jr. was homeless and had known Lane for years. Lane was also homeless and living in the wooded area by Independence Mall at the time of his death.

Bryan Jr. is being held without bond. A magistrate denied his release on June 15, according to court records. He is scheduled to appear in Superior Court on June 22.