NewsChannel 36

Dennis Edward Scherzer appeared in court Friday.

NEWTON, N.C. -- The man accused of beating a man to death at an assisted living facility appeared in court Friday morning for the first time.

Dennis Edward Scherzer stood quiet in a Catawba County courtroom, only speaking when asked if understood the charges he faced and if he needed a court appointed attorney.

He is being held in the Catawba County jail on one charge of murder for the beating death of 70-year-old Ronald Simmons.

Scherzer was arrested Thursday morning after police found him a short distance from the Walden House in Hickory. Both Simmons and Scherzer were patients at the adult assisted living facility.

Scherzer said he understood what he was charged with. He also said he would need a court appointed lawyer.

Scherzer's next court day is July 31 for a probable cause hearing.