Felon charged in girlfriend's slaying

Lincolnton police have charged a 41-year-old convicted felon with killing his girlfriend.

Jerry Alvin Black Jr. is charged with first-degree murder and is being held in Lincoln County jail without bond.

Lincoln County EMS officials said paramedics were called to a home on Untold Way, located off South Generals Boulevard (N.C. 150), at 1:35 p.m. Friday after receiving a report of an unconscious woman. When they arrived, they found Jennifer Lee Costner. She was pronounced dead within minutes.

Lincolnton police said Black claimed he fell asleep on the couch and awoke to find Costner dead.

Costner suffered blunt force trauma to her head, as well as multiple cut and stab wounds on her body, police said.

Records show Black has a long criminal record dating back to the 1980s. His convictions include DWI, assault on a female, felony larceny and violating a protective order, according to the N.C. Department of Correction.

He most recently served time in prison for selling drugs, according to the DOC. He was released in 2010.

The killing is Lincolnton's first homicide of the year, according to reports.