LaCynda Diane Feimster, a 38-year-old African American woman, was tragically killed during a home invasion and robbery on May 24, 2016, in Salisbury, North Carolina. The incident occurred at her Crown Point Apartment, located off Gold Hill Road in the Morlan Park neighborhood. Police were called to the scene at 11:12 p.m. and found Feimster dead inside her apartment.
A second victim, a woman, was hit in the face with a gun and was treated for minor injuries at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center. Feimster, who went by the nickname "LC," was a longtime waitress at O'Charley's in Salisbury and had just celebrated one of her children's birthdays earlier in the day. She was a mother of four and was known for her friendly and kind nature.
The investigation into Feimster's death led to the arrest and conviction of Sindy Abbitt and Daniel Albarran. Both were found guilty of first-degree murder, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, and assault with a deadly weapon. Abbitt and Albarran were sentenced to life in prison without parole. Additionally, Abbitt received a sentence of six to eight years for attempted robbery and 150 days for assault with a deadly weapon, while Albarran was sentenced to seven to nine years for attempted robbery and 150 days for assault with a deadly weapon. The prosecution's case largely hinged on an identification made by Feimster's mother, Mary Gregory, who was knocked unconscious with a gun during the incident. Gregory identified Abbitt and Albarran as the culprits during the pre-trial investigation.
Following the guilty verdicts, Abbitt and Albarran made several appeals to the state, which were heard by a panel of three judges. Both parties appealed the Superior Court's refusal to allow them to introduce evidence that would have implicated other parties in Feimster's murder. The evidence the defendants wished to include would have implicated Ashely Phillips and Tim Tim McCain, who were both suspects during the investigation. Despite the appeals, the North Carolina Court of Appeals upheld the guilty verdicts, with Judge John M. Tyson and Judge Darren Jackson concurring that there were no errors in the trial. Judge Hunter Murphy wrote a decision dissenting in part and concurring in part, stating that the defendants were entitled to a new trial due to the trial court's exclusion of questions or testimony regarding the guilt of another.
Feimster's death had a profound impact on her community, with friends and neighbors mourning the loss of a woman who was described as a mother, friend, mentor, and beautiful spirit. Her death was the second murder in Salisbury that month, highlighting the ongoing issue of neighborhood violence and the need for community action to address it.
