Asia Payne is believed to have been killed by Edward Bland, police said.

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

A jury in Virginia convicted a 38-year-old man in April 2024 of the murders of two people, including a pregnant woman. 

Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth announced the successful prosecution of Edward Jackson Bland, 38, following a jury verdict returned on Wednesday, Dec. 11, in Prince William County Circuit Court, according to the agency.

Jurors found Bland guilty of: 

  • Aggravated murder of a pregnant victim;

  • Aggravated murder for killing more than one person;
  • Second-degree murder;
  • Carjacking;
  • Three counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

The charges stem from the April 2, 2024, homicides of Leann Harris and Asia Payne, who were found shot to death inside an apartment in Manassas, authorities said.

Prince William County Police were called to an apartment complex in Manassas on April 2, 2024, for a reported carjacking, police said. 

During the investigation, officers were contacted by Shenandoah County deputies who had located the stolen vehicle and identified the driver as Bland, according to authorities.

Deputies told Prince William County Police that Bland had confessed to killing two people in Manassas, officials said.

Police tracked Bland’s movements back to an apartment he had been in before the carjacking and forced entry into the residence, authorities said. 

Inside, officers found Harris and Payne dead, each suffering a single gunshot wound to the head, police said.

“This was a horrible and senseless crime. The defendant took the lives of two innocent people, one of whom was pregnant,” Ashworth said. 

“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.”

Sentencing has been scheduled for June 2026.