Man charged with killing his brother

Authorities charged a 39-year-old Rowan County man with murder Saturday in the stabbing death of his older brother.

Ricky Levi Torrence lived in a single-wide mobile home at 2275 Bradshaw Road, about a mile south of N.C. 150 in western Rowan County. He and a brother, 42-year-old James Calvin Torrence, were living there with their father, William Marvin Torrence.

Sheriff’s deputies and emergency personnel were called to the scene at 10:53 Friday night. They arrived to find James Torrence dead after being stabbed by a large knife, the sheriff’s department.

Authorities set up a light and portable generator in the front yard and draped yellow tape across the front yard and driveway.

Ricky Torrence was arrested Saturday morning and placed in the Rowan County Jail without bond.

Both brothers had been drinking and arguing before the stabbing, Capt. Tommy Wood said investigators learned. Authorities could provide no other information about the incident Saturday.

Contact Brad A. Hodges at 704-797-4266 or bhodges@salisburypost.com .