By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A day after Sindy Lina Abbitt turned herself in to Salisbury authorities to face murder charges, she made her first court appearance in Rowan County District Court.

Abbitt, 33, was charged nearly a month after Lacynda Diane Feimster, 38, was found shot to death inside her Crown Point apartment.

In court this morning, Abbitt was appointed attorney Tom King and given her next court date, July 18, for a probable cause hearing.

District Court Judge Charlie Brown explained to Abbitt that King will provide provisional representation and if needed later on, she would be appointed another attorney.

Abbitt only spoke when asked a question during the hearing, which lasted less than five minutes.

Rowan District Attorney Brandy Cook requested Abbitt have no contact either directly, indirectly or through a third party with the victim’s family.

Feimster was known by the nickname “L.C.” and was a longtime waitress at O’Charley’s.

On May 24, Salisbury police went to her apartment, located off Gold Hill Road in the Morlan Park neighborhood, in response to a call about a home invasion and robbery. Feimster was already dead when police arrived.

Feimster’s mother, Mary Gregory, had been hit in the face with a gun during the incident. She was taken to the hospital, where she was treated and released.

Abbitt remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under no bond. She has prior convictions for driving offenses as well as felony marijuana possession from 2005.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.