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Man pleads not guilty in killing of DV survivors advocate girlfriend

CHARLOTTE — A man who police said killed an advocate for domestic violence survivors pleaded not guilty Thursday morning in her slaying.

Authorities said Isaiah Henderson stabbed Aliyah Terry to death nearly a year ago.

Thursday’s court hearing was very quick but had a tremendous impact on Terry’s family. The woman was set to publish a book on domestic violence just before she was killed.

Terry was stabbed to death in her home on Gold Pan Road in northeast Charlotte early on the morning of July 2, 2019. Several days later her boyfriend, Henderson, turned himself in to police.

[LINK: Domestic violence state and national resources]

In court on Thursday, Henderson pleaded not guilty. According to the prosecutor, Henderson turned down a plea to second-degree murder that would have sent him to prison for at least 18 years. If found guilty of first-degree murder, Henderson would face a mandatory life sentence.

Terry’s mother, Wanda Sanders, sobbed quietly in the courtroom and later told Channel 9 that the pain is still very real.

“It’s been really rough knowing my daughter was murdered and now he’s pleaded not guilty,” Sanders said. “I don’t understand how he could take someone’s life and say you’re not guilty now. And domestic violence is awful. People need to be aware that when you have a family member, take it seriously because I met him the week before he did this murder.”

Sanders also made a heartfelt plea to anyone in domestic violence situations to get out before it’s too late.