Slain Ellicott City Blogger's Daughter, Boyfriend Face Murder Charges

Howard County blogger Dennis Lane's 14-year-old daughter and her 19-year-old boyfriend have been charged with murder and conspiracy in Lane's death, according to police.

The two had been plotting the killing for months, according to police, and now face charges after Lane, 58, was found dead at his home in the 8100 block of Winding Ross Way. He had suffered multiple stab wounds, according to police.

Lane ran the Howard County blog Tale of Two Cities and co-hosted a Howard County Podcast "... And Then There's That" with Paul Scalny. 

Lane's daughter, Morgan Lane Arnold, 14, and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Jason Anthony Bulmer of the 8800 block of Town and Country Blvd., will both be charged as adults, according to police.

Police are charging the two with first- and second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Lane's coworker Bill Harrison told the Howard County Times that Lane shared joint custody of Arnold and that the two were very close; she stayed with him during the week and her mother on the weekends. 

"He never shared with me anything that would have led to me believe that such violence could’ve happened," Harrison told the Times.

According to a statement released by police, investigators believe Arnold and Bulmer had discussed, through "electronic communication," killing Lane for the last two months.

They went through with it overnight Thursday, according to police.

Arnold told Bulmer that she would leave the basement door unlocked so that he could get into the house, according to police. Once Bulmer was inside, police say, Arnold “encouraged him to stab her father” and he did. A woman who lives in the house with Lane heard a commotion and called police about 4:20 a.m.

When police arrived at the home, they found Bulmer - with blood on his hands and clothes – and Arnold sitting in a bedroom. Police said they found Lane dead with multiple stab wounds, in a different bedroom. 

Police say they believe Arnold told Bulmer they would run away together after the killing.

The two were students at Mt. Hebron High School, according to a statement by the Howard County Public School System. Counselors will be made available for students and staff who need emotional support Monday. 

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and everyone affected by this terrible tragedy," the statement read.