Lockhart trial, indictment still in the air

Amy Weaver
Staff writer
Published: May 12, 2008

There is no word yet on whether a Smiths Station man will be indicted and stand trial for allegedly killing Auburn University freshman Lauren Burk on March 4.

Or if Courtney L. Lockhart, 23, is even fit to stand trial.

Click here for Lockhart’s Order for Evaluation

Burk’s murder is one of a number of cases before the grand jury, which first convened May 5. The jury could finish sometime this week.

Click here for more stories on Lauren Burk

Lockhart is currently being held in the Lee County Detention Facility on charges of capital murder during a kidnapping, capital murder during a robbery, and capital murder during an attempted rape.

Even if his client is indicted, Lead defense counsel Joel Collins is seeking a mental evaluation to prove he is not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

To read more about this story, pick up Tuesday’s edition of the Opelika-Auburn News.