A man charged with killing a southern Kentucky mother entered a not guilty plea.

Christopher Allman appeared in a Russell County courtroom by video. He pleaded not guilty to murder, robbery and kidnapping in the death of Sarah Hart.

"We just came down to show support for Sarah," explained Michael Egnew, a family friend.

Egnew's own children grew up with Hart and her family. His daughter was also a pharmacist, like Hart.

Police say Hart was between 10 and 11 weeks pregnant when Allman strangled her last Thursday. They say Hart had been jogging with her sister that morning and started feeling ill, deciding to head back to her car. It was then that police say Allman made his move. It's a murder that's rocked the normally peaceful town.

"This is something that doesn't happen here," Egnew said. "We've been under the impression that this is something that we watch on tv from other areas."

Egnew continued, " This happened in broad daylight on a major highway. We have to be more vigilant."

Funeral services for Hart were held Monday morning, just hours before Allman appeared in court.

State Police say that Allman admitted to killing Hart.

Volunteers found Hart's body on Thursday, hours after she went missing. The 31-year old mother of three was expecting her fourth child. She was out jogging with her sister when she decided to stop because she felt ill. Her sister told police that when she returned to her sister's vehicle, she was not there.

Police say that through tips from the public, they were able to identify Allman as a suspect.

Hart and her sister did not know Allman, but we're told they often passed him while on their jogging route.