Man accused of stabbing girlfriend to death won't face death penalty

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man accused of stabbing his girlfriend to death in northeast Charlotte in July will not face the death penalty.

Only Isaih Henderson's attorneys were present in court Thursday for the announcement from state prosecutors.

Aliyah Terry's loved ones stormed out of the courtroom, visibly upset with the decision but too shaken up to talk on camera.

(Henderson and Terry)

"If she's dead and gone then that should still be an option for him," one close friend told Channel 9.

They wore shirts with her name displayed on them.

"I made sure I put her name on the back, because every single time I'm going to show up until this is done," one woman said.

Police said they found Terry stabbed to death in her northeast Charlotte home in the early hours of July 2.

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Officers said they were already there just four hours earlier, after a heated argument between Terry and Henderson, her live-in boyfriend.

They didn't make any arrests, but when CMPD officers came back, they said Henderson took off.

He eventually turned himself into police and was charged with murder.

Henderson's next court date is set for Nov. 14.

Terry died just days before a book she wrote about domestic violence came available to order, titled "The Queen Xperience."

[LINK: Domestic violence state and national resources]

She hoped her story would inspire abused women.

The book will officially be released Oct. 4.

Cox Media Group