Regarding the April 29 article on Rebecca Nelson accepting a plea deal: Early in the evening of Feb. 4, 2020, the peace and quiet of our small townhome community was shattered by R. Nelson when she murdered our beloved friend and neighbor, Terry Carter.  
Terry was a kind, gentle man, a strong Christian and a man who loved his family. Susan, Jerry, Stephen, Courtney and Berkley were so special to him. 
Nelson went to the front door of Susan and Terry’s home with her two children, holding a knife to the throat of one of the little ones.  
Nelson was looking for her partner, Susan’s niece, who had been staying with them. Terry was legally blind and never saw the knife Nelson was holding. He tried to protect his family, defending his beloved Susan, who was seriously injured in the attack. She still bears the scars today.  
In a matter of minutes, Wake Forest PD, Fire Dept. and EMS were on the scene trying desperately to save Terry, tend to Susan and calm those of us who were watching this unbelievable scene play out.  The dedication, compassion and professionalism shown by them was amazing. Our Terry passed at the hospital. I’ll never forget the blank stare on Susan’s face as she peered out the back door of the ambulance trying to get a grip on what just happened.
If Terry and Susan had known of the violence in the Nelson home, they would have had their niece seek refuge in a safe space and maybe Terry would be alive today. Please, if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse or violence, seek help. 
Talk to someone who can help you get out of a situation that may, in the end, cost you your life. Our lives and the lives of all who loved and knew Terry are forever changed by the senseless act of this evil woman. Don’t become a statistic.  

Lesley E. Finnegan
WAKE FOREST