Courtney Lockhart guilty of capital murder in death of Lauren Burk

Courtney Lockhart was convicted today of capital murder in the March 2008 death of Auburn freshman Lauren Burk.

It took jurors 6 1/2 hours to reach their decision after four days of witness testimony.

Lockhart, 26, was convicted of capital murder in the March 4, 2008, robbery of Burk, 18. Jurors found that Lockhart abducted her on campus, drove her around in her 2001 black Honda Civic and made her disrobe before fatally shooting her.

In their closing arguments, prosecutors and the defense battled over whether Lockhart intended to kill Burk. Intent was an essential element that jurors had to find in order to convict on capital murder.

Prosecutors told jurors that Lockhart staked out the area where he later abducted Burk. District Attorney Nick Abbett argued that Lockhart knew how to fire a gun because of his military training.

Defense attorney Joel Collins said his client only intended to rob Burk, and that his gun went off as he waved his arms while driving Burk's car during the robbery.

Jurors will now enter the sentencing phase of the trial. The prosecution and defense will have the opportunity to present aggravating and mitigating circumstances before jurors deliberate on whether they recommend the death penalty or life in prison without the chance of parole.