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Auburn Police

Man who murdered Auburn student sought to appeal death penalty

AUBURN, Ala. -- Courtney Lockhart, the man convicted of murdering Auburn University student Lauren Burk in 2008, went to court Tuesday, February 19, to try and overturn his death sentence.

According to an article posted by WTVM, Lockhart had an appeal hearing yesterday in order to contest his 2010 conviction of capital murder.

The jury concluded that Lockhart should receive life without parole. However, Judge Jacob Walker disagreed and used judicial override to ensure Lockhart will receive capital punishment. 

According to the article, Alabama judges are no longer permitted to use their judicial override to impose the death penalty, and a final decision may not come until late summer.