Lockhart confessed to Burk murder
Vasha Hunt | Opelika-Auburn News
Auburn police escort Courtney Lockhart, 23, of Smiths Station into the Lee County Detention Center on Monday. Lockhart’s initial hearing was held today at 3 p.m. He is accused of killing AU student Lauren Burk.
Courtney L. Lockhart confessed to police that he murdered, robbed and attempted to rape Auburn freshman Lauren Burk, according to sworn affidavits read during his initial court appearance Monday afternoon.
Lockhart’s confession provided the basis for the capital murder charges filed against him on Saturday.
According to the documents, Lockhart kidnapped Burk from the Auburn campus, robbed her of her credit cards and iPod, drove her around, forced her to take off her clothes and shot her.
He then drove her car back to campus and set the vehicle on fire, the documents said.
Lockhart is being held without bond.
About 70 people attended the hearing, many of them court or law eforcement personnel or media. However, a group 15-20 people who appeared to be Lockhart’s family or friends also attended the hearing.
Click to read warrant one.
Click to read warrant two.
Click to read warrant three.
Reader Reactions
Under Alabama law bail can only be denied in capital murder cases. Remember that he was arrested only on robbery charges in Russell County, hence the bond. However in fact he was not getting out since there are 4 more robbery charges pending.
That said two questions: If APD had a photo and trying to identify the murderer why not release the photo? Also if they were tracking his movements as the Asst Chief (APD) said - why did they allow him to out a gun to the head of a 3 year old and carjack a 72 year old?
I think APD caught a lucky break and now is trying to pretent they were on Lockhart the whole way
Thank you for the update; however, any bail in this case was outrageous. Although, I know he would never have been allowed to go free, he had other warrants to face in Auburn, but it is still an outrage nonetheless.
The $250,000 bond was for a robbery committed in Phenix City, not the murder
I grew up in South Florida and worked as a law enforcement officer down there. After moving to Alabama, I was amazed at the nonchalant approach to personal security people in Alabama take. These random crimes even occur up here. Please take steps to secure yourself and your family. Good tips are here: www.securefromcrime.blogspot.com
What, specifically, led you to believe the police intimated this was not random? I’ve read and re-read all these articles and I’ve seen nothing to indicate that they implied one way or the other, which is exactly how they should have handled it. The killer wasn’t identified yet, so it could’ve been either way. The police heightened their presence in and around campus. They worked diligently to apprehend the suspect. Everyone should ALWAYS be concerned with their own personal safety, and I tend to think each and every student was a little bit more aware of their surroundings because of what happened, regardless of what the police said or didn’t say.
FYI - The $250,000 bond was on a robbery charge Lockhart was arrested on in Russell County, not on the murder charge
Another cub gone crazy.
In retrospect, didn’t law enforcement officials endanger other Auburn students by giving the very strong impression early on that this was not a random act. I, and many others, I believe took this to mean Lauren Burk was targeted or somehow knew her killer.
Why would officials put out such dangerous and misleading comments?
Lori Ann Slesinski Missing Since June 10, 2006 >
http://helpfindthemissing.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3194
The last known individual to speak with Lori has offered some insight into this case. Please keep Lori’s family in your thoughts and prayers.
http://www.helpfindthemissing.org/missing_database/?cat=53
I NOTICED THERE WAS NO MENTION ABOUT THE ALLEGED $250,000 BAIL FOR THIS PERSON? IS THIS TRUE? I READ THIS ON THE ATLANTA WEBSITE, AJC.COM. IF SO, THAT IS AN OUTRAGE!!!
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