By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A Salisbury man who is accused of killing his grandmother made his first appearance in court this morning.

Curtis Wayne Trexler, 31, was charged Monday with the murder of his 75-year-old grandmother, Joyce Ann Trexler, in her home at 295 Ellis Loop Road, just off East Ridge Road.

Curtis Trexler could face the death penalty or life in prison, if convicted. He requested a court appointed attorney and was assigned Salisbury attorney David Bingham as provisional counsel until he’s appointed an attorney through the state’s indigent defense program.

Investigators say Trexler, who had been living with his grandmother, frantically called 911 Monday morning to tell them he needed help. He was instructed to perform CPR, but he told them “it wasn’t working” and he thought she was already dead.

Rowan County authorities said at one point Trexler told them he thought his grandmother fell and injured herself, but they said there was no evidence of a fall.

He was not very cooperative with law enforcement and did not provide truthful answers, Sheriff Kevin Auten said during a press conference. It’s believed Trexler has had drug problems in the past and possibly currently does, which may be an underlying factor.

His next court appearance will be Aug. 10 for a probable cause hearing.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.