Clinton the victor, the race for the Democratic nomination continues

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton saw a tremendous and much-needed boost after her campaign declared victory in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary late Tuesday night.

“I’m in this race to fight for you,” Clinton said in her victory speech to supporters in Philadelphia. “You know you can count on me to stand up strong for you every single day in the White House.”

Clinton won by a 10-point margin, giving her a substantial amount of Pennsylvania’s 158 pledged delegates.

At approximately 1:00 a.m. Thursday, Johnathon Sepp Etterer of Birmingham turned himself in to Auburn City Police in connection to yesterday’s stabbing at The Edge apartment complex.

Etterer, 20, has  been charged with second degree assault and has been moved to the Lee County Detention Center where he will be eligible for bond.

According to Auburn City Assistant Police Chief Tom Dawson, Etterer decided to turn himself in after speaking with his parents late last evening.

Attorney General tries to quell casino gambling in Mobile

Alabama Attorney General Troy King has filed a lawsuit against the United States Department of the Interior in attempts to keep the Poarch Band of Creek Indians from continuing informal conferences with the department concerning casino gaming limits.

The tribe wishes to include Class III gaming activities such as electric slot machines and table games in its casino centers. Under Alabama state law, Class III games are illegal.

Update: 2:41 p.m.

At approximately 11:48 a.m., a 911 emergency call was made for a stabbing at The Edge apartment complex. One Caucasian male was reported to be stabbed and was taken to East Alabama Medical Center. The victim is in surgery, and his name and condition has not been released. According to Auburn Assistant Police Chief Tom Dawson, the incident appears to be between two roommates. The suspect is still at large, but police believe the suspect does not pose a threat to students or the campus area. Dawson advised everyone to remain cautious, and report any suspicious activity to the police department. The Auburn City Police Department can be reached at 501-3100. Continue to check The Plainsman Web site for further updates on this developing situation.

Well, it’s me, your incoming soon-to-be editor. My reign is set to begin in August, and I am indescribably excited and petrified for the show to start.

Running The Auburn Plainsman is something I certainly did not anticipate when I started off as a political science major way back in ‘05, but hey, you’ve got to follow your heart, and for me, journalism it is.

Enough of the warm, fuzzy I-feel-like-I’m-in-the-Auburn-family business. Let’s get to the real stuff.

Courtney Lockhart: charged in the connection to the death of freshman Lauren Burk

Police announced the arrest of 23-year-old Courtney Larrell Lockhart of Smiths, Ala., in connection to the murder of Auburn freshman Lauren Burk, of Marietta, Ga.

Auburn Assistant Police Chief Tom Dawson said Lockhart has been charged with capital murder during a kidnapping, capital murder during a robbery and capital murder during an attempted rape.

According to Phenix City Police Chief Brian McGarr, Phenix City Police attempted to stop Lockhart’s vehicle, which was suspected in several armed robberies in the area, around 11 a.m. Friday. After a brief pursuit, Lockhart’s vehicle became disabled, and Lockhart attempted to flee the scene. Police captured Lockhart and arrested him late Friday in connection to the Burk murder after communicating with the task force.

“We have a large amount of evidence in this case,” Dawson said. “We left no stone unturned.”

Dawson said a photo obtained Wednesday, March 5, aided police in connecting Lockhart to the case. While the police will not say how they obtained the photo, Dawson said assistants from NASA cooperated in the investigation by enhancing the resolution of the photo.

Lee County District Attorney Nick Abbett said a hearing for the defendant would most likely be conducted on Monday, and a grand jury appearance is scheduled for May 5.

“The trial could probably take up to a year from now,” Abbett said. “Capital murder cases move slow.”

Another news conference was given by Auburn Assistant Chief of Police Tom Dawson Friday afternoon at 1:30 at the Auburn City Council Chamber.

While no arrest announcements were made, Dawson clarified rumors which had been circulating in the news. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences confirmed Burk was not sexually assaulted before her death. Dawson also acknowledged a gasoline can was found in the downtown Auburn area, but could not specify the location. Tests will be conducted by the ADFS for any fingerprints or trace evidence of the contents inside the can.

“We have obtained evidence from several different areas,” Dawson said. “We’ve had strong leads and promising leads, and we hope to be standing before you soon with good news.”

Police also released photos of a 2001 Honda Civic, similiar to Burk’s, which they believe may be involved in the case.

Lauren Wiygul contributing Tom Dawson addresses the room.

At approximately 1:30 p.m. at the Auburn City Public Safety Department, the Auburn City Police Department held a news conference updating the current investigation into the murder of 18-year-old Auburn freshman Lauren Burk.

Police responded to a call at 9:08 p.m. Tuesday and found Burk off of Alabama Highway 147 with a gunshot wound to the head. Burk died later that night at East Alabama Medical Center. Around 20 minutes after finding Burk’s body, Auburn police responded to a vehicle fire located at the Hinton Field RH-Zone parking lot behind the Hill residence halls on campus. The engulfed and gutted 2001 black Honda Civic was registered to Burk.

Auburn Assistant Chief of Police Tom Dawson reported that an extended multi-task force has been assembled to further investigate Burk’s homicide. The task force included the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshal’s Service, Alabama Bureau Investigation, Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office, Lee County District Attorney’s Office, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Opelika Police Department and Auburn University Public Safety and Security Office.

With 4,103 votes totaling to 60 percent, Lauren Hayes, a senior in public administration and German, was announced the winner of the SGA presidential election during callouts at Cater Lawn at 10 p.m. 

“I’m so overwhelmed,” Hayes said. “That was the most nerve-wracking 10 minutes of my life.”

BIRMINGHAM — Former Arkansas governor and Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee made a brief stop in Birmingham Saturday afternoon to address a crowd of avid supporters at Samford University.