A probable cause hearing will be held for Courtney Lockhart Wednesday, April 23 at the Lee County Justice Center. This hearing will determine if a grand jury will hear the case.
Clifton Perry, a professor in political science, said a probable cause hearing determines whether there is probable cause to hold someone over for trial. Probable cause is defined as the reasonable belief a person has committed a crime.
“If (there’s) no probable cause, it’s just a waste of judicial energy,” Perry said.
Lee County District Attorney Nick Abbett said if the judge rules there is not sufficient evidence, the judge could dismiss the case or it could still go to trial.
“I wouldn’t expect the court to find a lack of probable cause,” Abbett said.
Abbett said he expects to present the case when the next grand jury convenes in Lee County May 5.
At an initial hearing held Monday, March 10, Judge Jacob Walker read affidavits in which Lockhart confessed to the murder of 18-year-old freshman Lauren Burk.
Lockhart has been held without bond since the hearing last month.
