ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Elwell McPhail pleaded not guilty Monday to second degree murder in the death of Syreeta Knight, whose body was found Saturday inside a Bernard Street residence.

Officers responded to a house near Hudson Avenue around 3 p.m. Saturday for a welfare check after prosecutors said a concerned citizen made a phone call. Police had to break down the door to get in.

Once inside, they found Knight's body with a note saying she was killed because of "disrepectful comments and infidelity."

According to the felony complaint, McPhail, 49, beat Knight with a blunt object several times in the face and head.

McPhail was ordered held in lieu of bail until his next court appearance.

Lonnesha Johnson, who said she was a close friend, remembers she met Knight two years ago while working at the Willow Center for Domestic Violence two years ago. As their friendship grew, Johnson did all she could to help her friend rise above the abuse, even helping her find a safe place for to live with her children.

“She tried to escape the grasps and couldn't," Johnson said. "There's still hope who are still living. That's what she would want.”