Murder of Lauren Burk

Common card · No. 204921

The murder of Lauren Burk occurred on March 4, 2008, in Auburn, Alabama. Burk, an 18-year-old freshman at Auburn University, was kidnapped at gunpoint by Courtney Lockhart. Lockhart, a U.S. military veteran who had been dishonorably discharged, robbed Burk and forced her to strip naked. He drove her around for about 30 minutes while he lamented about his unemployment and misfortunes. When Burk attempted to escape, Lockhart shot her in the lungs. Burk, severely injured and naked except for a pair of socks, was left on Alabama State Route 147. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The murder of Burk, which attracted national attention, was part of a violent crime spree during which Lockhart robbed and assaulted several women. The spree began in February 2008 and ended with his arrest on March 7. Judge Jacob Walker cited Lockhart's criminal history when he overrode the jury's unanimous recommendation for life in prison and sentenced him to death. Lockhart is currently on death row at...

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