Courtney Larrell Lockhart was born on October 20, 1984. He grew up in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. Not much is known about his early childhood or family background. As a young man, he made the choice to join the U.S. Military in 2003. After completing his basic training, he was deployed in 2004 to South Korea and later to Iraq.

While serving in the military, Lockhart faced some challenges. In 2006, he got into trouble for smoking marijuana and for assaulting and threatening other soldiers. He also went absent without leave, which is when someone leaves their post without permission. As a result of his actions, Lockhart spent seven months in confinement and was dishonorably discharged from the military in December 2006.

A defense psychologist assessed Lockhart during his legal proceedings. He noted that Lockhart did show some symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, which can happen to soldiers who have experienced combat. However, he was not officially diagnosed with PTSD. The psychologist also indicated that Lockhart had an IQ of 86, which is below average. He described him as immature and having poor judgment.

On the evening of March 4, 2008, Lauren Burk was walking to her car at Auburn University when she was approached by Courtney Lockhart. He confronted her while holding a pistol and ordered her into her car. Burk backed into the vehicle and crawled into the front passenger seat. Lockhart took the driver's seat, demanded her cash, and received $200 from her.

Lockhart then abducted Burk, driving around while pointing the gun at her. He ordered her to undress. Although she was hesitant, she complied. During the drive, Lockhart expressed his frustrations about his life and unemployment. Burk tried to help him by offering ideas for a job but sensed that he might hurt her. At one point, Burk received a phone call from her friend and boyfriend. Lockhart allowed her to answer but forced her to lie about her whereabouts.

As he became more frustrated, Burk tried to escape by jumping out of the moving car. Lockhart shot her during her escape. The bullet entered her back, pierced both lungs, and exited through her arm. Witnesses heard two shots and saw Burk jump from the vehicle. Lockhart fled the scene, leaving Burk on the road. Despite efforts to save her, she died in the hospital from her injuries.

After the murder, Lockhart stopped at a gas station, used Burk's stolen credit card to buy gasoline, and attempted to destroy evidence by setting her car on fire. He then fled to Georgia, using her card for more gas and purchases before returning to Alabama.

Law enforcement quickly began investigating the case after finding the burnt car. Lockhart was arrested on March 7 after a police chase. During his arrest, he confessed to murdering Burk and admitted to other crimes he had committed during a crime spree.

Lockhart faced multiple charges, including capital murder, and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. His trial began in November 2010, where prosecutors argued he intentionally murdered Burk. The jury found him guilty of robbery, kidnapping, and capital murder. The judge sentenced him to death by lethal injection due to his criminal history and the violent nature of his crimes.

Lockhart's appeals for a new trial and a review of his death sentence were repeatedly denied. As of September 2022, Lockhart remains on death row at Holman Correctional Facility.