The first court appearance for Jeff Steen, who is charged with the first-degree murder of his grandfather and the attempted murder of his mother, was brief as the judge explained the maximum possible jail time he could receive, if convicted, and appointed an attorney for Steen.
Steen, 40, is charged with the beating death of J.D. Furr, his 87-year-old grandfather, and for the assault of his mother, Sandra Steen, 62. Detectives with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office escorted Jeff Steen to the Rowan magistrate’s office Thursday afternoon and he was charged. Steen also faces felony robbery with a dangerous weapon charges.
He was placed in the Rowan County jail without bond. Steen appeared in court this morning handcuffed, with leg shackles, in a Rowan County-issued orange jumpsuit. He only spoke to request a court appointed attorney. District Court Judge Marshall Bickett appointed Salisbury attorney Michael Adkins of Kluttz, Reamer, Hayes, Randolph & Adkins.
The day the two were discovered, Jeff Steen told investigators he found his mother and grandfather outside of the home at 6225 River Road, in eastern Rowan County. His mother was severely beaten and found lying in the gravel driveway of 6225 River Road, the home she shared with her father, Furr, who was found near the back of the home. Jeff Steen said he went to the home around 8:15 a.m. Jeff Steen called 911, authorities said.
Jeff Steen could face life in prison or death for the murder of his grandfather. District Attorney Brandy Cook did not say whether the case will proceed as a capital murder case. He could face more than 32 years, maximum, if convicted in the attempted murder of his mother. Sandra Steen continues to recover and is undergoing rehabilitation following her injuries. See more in Saturday’s Post.