Andrew Reid Lackey was born on October 29, 1983, in Alabama, USA. He grew up in a normal household, went to high school, and later attended Calhoun Community College for two years. He was known to be quiet and socially awkward, spending most of his time playing video games and working as an eBay trader.

Before the crime that changed his life, Lackey had no criminal record. Friends and family described him as a "geek" who preferred computers over socializing. Despite his intelligence, he struggled to connect with people and had trouble fitting in. Some reports suggest he had a mild form of autism, but he was never officially diagnosed with a serious mental disorder. At some point, Lackey became obsessed with the idea of quick money.

On Halloween night, October 31, 2005, 80-year-old Charles Newman, a World War II veteran, was alone in his home in Athens, Alabama, when he became the victim of a brutal home invasion. Lackey had learned from Newman's grandson that there was a vault in the house filled with gold bars and cash. Determined to get the money, Lackey broke into the home, armed and ready to steal.

At 10:30 PM, Newman dialed 911 while Lackey was inside. On the call, Newman could be heard pleading for his life, saying, "Don't do that," "Leave me alone," and "What do you want?". Lackey was demanding, "Where's the vault?" as he searched for the hidden treasure. But things did not go as planned.

Newman grabbed his gun and shot Lackey in the chest, trying to defend himself. Instead of fleeing, Lackey attacked Newman in a frenzy, stabbing him over 70 times. After that, he shot Newman in the chest with his own gun, ensuring he was dead before leaving the scene.

Bleeding from his gunshot wound, Lackey drove to a nearby gas station and called for an ambulance. He was taken to Huntsville Hospital, where doctors treated his injury. However, police had already received an anonymous tip about him being involved in the murder. Once he was released from the hospital, officers immediately arrested him.

Lackey was charged with capital murder during a burglary and robbery. During the trial, his lawyers tried to argue that he had autism and mental health issues, but they did not use an insanity defense. Psychologists confirmed he was socially awkward but still understood his actions.

After a failed suicide attempt in prison, Lackey gave up on his appeals and requested an execution date. Some organizations tried to stop the execution, saying he needed a mental health evaluation, but the courts denied the request.

On July 25, 2013, at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama, Andrew Lackey was executed by lethal injection. He was 29 years old. His case became one of the most talked-about executions in Alabama, as he was the first person to be executed in the state in nearly two years.