171: The Murder of Lauren Burk

On a cool March evening of 2008, motorists on Highway 147 in Auburn, Alabama were startled to see a young girl in the road. She was naked, crying, covered in road rash and waving her arms desperately for help. Despite everyone’s best efforts, 18 year old Lauren Burk did not survive her ordeal. She had been shot and and bled out within 2 to 3 minutes after jumping from a moving car. The Auburn University student had been carjacked in a campus parking lot. The ensuing trial for her murderer, Courtney Lockhart, called into question many troubling aspects of the law. The standard for mental incompetency as well as the Alabama law that a judge can override a jury’s recommendation. Trigger Warning: Discussion of PTSD due to combatHosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Haley GrayWritten by Erica KelleyResearch Assistance by Anna LuriaOriginal Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Erica Kelley Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/the-murder-of-lauren-burk- This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp online therapy. Go to BetterHelp.com/southern. - This holiday, we are sponsored by the amazing gift for loved ones, Aura Frames. Go to AuraFrames.com/southernfried to save $10 off your first purchase. - To get a much needed break and recharge your holiday brain, play Best Fiends, that’s Friends without the “R”- Give yourself the gift of peace of mind by going to SimpliSafe.com/southernfried. There’s no safe like SimpliSafe.