A judge ordered a Raleigh woman held without bond Monday after police linked her to the murder of a man along Bassett Trail over the weekend.
Sandra Hunter, 66, waved to her family members in the courtroom Monday as she appeared before a judge on that murder charge. Raleigh police arrested Hunter following the death of Arthur Upchurch.
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Court documents indicate Hunter and Upchurch had a “personal relationship.” Upchurch also had a history of assault convictions and had been ordered by a court not to have contact with Hunter.
According to court records, Upchurch has had more than 27 convictions across nearly three decades, including habitual assault in 2021 and assault on a female in 2024. Hunter is listed as the victim in both of those cases. A judge ordered Upchurch to have no contact with Hunter as recently as December 2025.
In court, Hunter’s public defender requested the judge give her a secured bond, given her history as an assault victim. A judge denied the request citing Iryna’s law, which tightens bond restrictions for defendants charged with violent offenses.
Hunter’s next court appearance is March 23.