FOUND A GRAVE

Lackey broke into Newman’s Limestone County home on Halloween night in 2005. Lackey had been told by Newman’s grandson that there was a vault in the home containing gold bars and cash. Newman made a call to 911 on the night of the murder, in which he could be heard saying, “Don’t do that,” ”Leave me alone” and “What do you want?” Lackey could be heard repeatedly asking, “Where’s the vault?” according to court records. It is believed that Newman grabbed his gun and shot Lackey, who then stabbed Newman with a knife about seventy times. Lackey also shot Newman in the chest with his own gun. Police arrived at the residence five minutes after the call was made, where they found Newman’s body.  Lackey drove to a convenience store, where he called an ambulance. He was taken to Huntsville Hospital and treated for the gunshot wound. Police received a phone call indicating that Lackey was at the hospital. He was taken into custody after being released from treatment.  Lackey was charged with capital murder during a burglary, capital murder during a robbery, burglary and robbery.  Psychologist Frank Preston testified that Lackey was autistic, but legally sane.  Following a three day trial, Lackey was found guilty on all charges. The jury unanimously recommended that he be sentenced to death.

Following a suicide attempt, Lackey gave up all appeals and asked that an execution date be set. The Equal Justice Initiative argued that Lackey, who was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and was taking psychotropic medications, should have undergone a mental health examination. EJI filed papers requesting that Lackey be examined for competencey, but this was denied by the Court of Criminal Appeals and the execution was allowed to proceed.  Andrew Lackey was executed by lethal injection on July 25, 2013.