The emotional trial of Courtney Lockhart, the Smiths Station resident accused of the March 4, 2008 murder of Lauren Burk, began Nov. 12.
Burk, an Auburn University freshman at the time of her murder, was a graphic design major and member of the Delta Gamma sorority. Burk was from Marietta, Ga.
Day 1: Friday, Nov. 12
After a 16-member jury was chosen, the prosecution began calling witnesses who described the crime scene and Burk's cause of death.
"She bled to death from a gunshot wound," said John McFarland, Burk's treating physician at the East Alabama Medical Center emergency room.
Jim Burk, Lauren's father, was called to the stand. Jim glanced at Lockhart throughout his testimony, and at times looked directly at him when answering questions.
Jim said he spoke with Lauren at 5 p.m. that day, and at 10:30 p.m., he received a call from the Auburn Police Department telling him his daughter's car had been found on fire.
Day 2: Monday, Nov. 15
Sean McQuaed, Burk's boyfriend at the time of her death, was called to the stand and testified about his interactions with Burk the day of her death.
McQuaed said Burk visited his dorm room in Sasnett Hall on Davis Drive from approximately 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
The state also called Michael De St. Aubin, the friend Burk was supposed to meet up with to study for a history test.
De St. Aubin said he talked to Burk at approximately 8 p.m. March 4, 2008.
Burk told him she had forgotten about a dinner party for a friend and would not be studying with him that evening.
"I didn't really think much about it at the time," De St. Aubin said, "but once I got the call from Sean saying her car was on fire, I was like, 'Wow, I should have known something was up.'"
Several officers from the Phenix City Police Department were called to testify about Lockhart's arrest March 7, 2008.
Lockhart was apprehended in Phenix City after he fled from officers for two to three miles.
The iPod recovered from Lockhart after his arrest was identified as Burk's.
Investigators also recovered a handgun along the route Lockhart drove as he fled from the police.
Day 3: Tuesday, Nov. 16
The state presented Lockhart's written and oral confession of the murder of Lauren Burk.
Kristen Maturi, a forensic scientist with the state department of forensic science, confirmed a match between Lockhart's confirmed DNA sample and the DNA found on the hammer of the gun found at the Publix on Summerville Road in Phenix City.
The DNA from small spots of blood on a T-shirt found in Lockhart's car matched the confirmed DNA sample from Burk.
Day 4: Wednesday, Nov. 16
The Opelika-Auburn News reported the defense presented two witnesses in the morning, calling a psychologist and Lockhart's former fiance Nicole Threatt to the stand to testify about Lockhart's mental state when he returned from Iraq.
After the lunch break, the prosecution and the defense issued their closing statements.
Lockhart's defense reminded the jury that Lockhart claimed he did not intend to kill Burk.
The prosecution attempted to convince the jury that Lockhart did intend to kill her.
"I submit to you, that was no accidental discharge for someone who had been trained to handle weapons," said District Attorney Nick Abbett.
The jury began deliberation at approximately 3:30 p.m. and requested an overnight recess at 6 p.m.
Deliberation will resume Thursday at 9 a.m.
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