Courtney Lockhart: charged in the connection to the death of freshman Lauren Burk
OPELIKA — Courtney Larrell Lockhart will remain behind bars.
During Lockhart’s initial hearing, held Monday at 3 p.m. inside the Lee County Justice Center, Judge Jacob Walker said no bond will be set in this case. In Alabama, the issue of bond is at the discretion of the court.
At the hearing, Walker read the warrant affidavits in which Lockhart confessed to killing 18-year-old Auburn freshman Lauren Burk.
At Saturday’s press conference, Auburn Assistant Police Chief Tom Dawson said he did not want to reveal if Burk was a random victim or if she had been targeted.
“I don’t see any indication that they knew each other,” Dawson said.
In his signed confession, Lockhart said he forced Burk into her car while she was on the Auburn University campus and robbed her of personal property, which included a debit or credit card and an iPod.
Lockhart then drove Burk around and forced her to remove her clothing.
According to the affidavit, Lockhart then shot Burk with a pistol and subsequently drove her car back to the campus, where he set fire to the vehicle.
Lockhart, 23, from Smiths was arrested Friday in Phenix City. The affidavit said Lockhart was developed as a suspect Friday morning.
At the Saturday press conference, Phenix City Police Chief Brian McGarr said Lockhart was initially pulled over for a traffic stop. After a short vehicle pursuit, Lockhart’s car was disabled, and he attempted to flee the scene on foot.
Police apprehended Lockhart, and after communicating with the Auburn Police and the task force, Lockhart was arrested in connection with Burk’s murder late Friday.
Lockhart had a pistol in his possession when he was arrested, which the Alabama Department of Forensics has now confirmed linked him to the crime. Lockhart made the written and verbal confession after waiving his Miranda rights.
Auburn Mayor Bill Ham said Saturday that bringing the case to an apparent closure was “phenomenal timing.”
“I think the parents of 24,000 Auburn University students and another 50,000 plus in the community are relieved,” Ham said.
Lockhart now faces three capital murder charges, including capital murder in kidnapping, capital murder in attempted rape and capital murder during robbery.
The next step is a preliminary hearing, which will be held on either April 2 or April 16, depending on which judge is assigned the case.
Walker said the judge presiding over the preliminary hearing will decide if there is sufficient evidence for the case to go to trial.
If there is enough evidence, the case will move to grand jury proceedings set for Monday, May 5.
Lee County District Attorney Nick Abbett said Saturday a trial could take place a year from now.
“Capital murder cases move slow,” Abbett said.
Abbett will be representing the state in this case. At the hearing, Walker granted Lockhart’s request for Joel Collins, a lawyer from Phenix City, to be his defense attorney.
Walker will also appoint another counsel to the defense in accordance with Alabama law requiring two attorneys.
