Michael Lee Lockhart

{{Infobox serial killer

| name = Michael Lee Lockhart

| image = Michael Lee Lockhart.jpg

| alt =

| alias =

| birth_date = September 30, 1960

| birth_place = Walbridge, Ohio, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|1997|12|9|1960|9|30}}

| death_place = Huntsville Unit, Huntsville, Texas, U.S.

| cause = Execution by lethal injection

| conviction = Texas
Capital murder
Indiana
Murder
Florida
First degree murder
Wyoming
Robbery

| sentence = Texas
Death
Indiana
Death
Florida
Death

| victims = 3

| beginyear = 1987

| endyear = 1988

| country = United States

| states = Indiana, Texas, Florida

| apprehended = March 22, 1988

| criminal_status = Executed

}}

Michael Lee Lockhart (September 30, 1960 – December 9, 1997) was an American serial killer who received death sentences in three states (Florida, Indiana, and Texas). He was executed on December 9, 1997, by the state of Texas.{{cite web |url=http://www.texnews.com/texas97/exec121097.html |title=Inmate with death sentences in three states put to death |publisher=Texnews.com |author=Michael Graczyk |date=December 10, 1997 |access-date=2013-10-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004230808/http://www.texnews.com/texas97/exec121097.html |archive-date=2013-10-04 }}

Arrest and Convictions

Lockhart was caught in 1988 when Officer Paul Hulsey Jr. tried to arrest him for driving a stolen Chevrolet Corvette in Beaumont, Texas. Officers responding to the motel room where he was reported found Hulsey dead in the room. They put out an all-points bulletin for the vehicle, which was spotted. A high speed chase ensued before Lockhart crashed and was soon apprehended. Evidence of his other crimes were found in the vehicle.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9N5Amj0-V7sC&q=michael+lee+lockhart&pg=PA214|title=My Life Among the Serial Killers: Inside the Minds of the World's Most Notorious Murderers|last1=Morrison|first1=Dr Helen|last2=Goldberg|first2=Harold|date=2009-10-13|publisher=Zondervan|isbn=9780061809590|language=en}} Lockhart was convicted of killing Officer Hulsey and was sentenced to death.{{cite news|url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Paul-Hulsey-Michael-Lee-Lockhart-serial-killer-12775167.php|title=30 years ago: The serial killer trial that shocked San Antonio|work=Beaumont Enterprise|agency=mySA|accessdate=October 19, 2021}}

Lockhart was later convicted in Indiana for the 1987 murder of 16-year-old Windy Gallagher in Griffith, Indiana.{{cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/indiana/supreme-court/1993/45s00-8911-cr-851-4.html|title=Lockhart v. State|website=Justia|accessdate=October 19, 2021}} (Indiana case) Following the previous conviction, he pleaded guilty to the 1988 murder of 14-year-old Jennifer Colhouer in Land O' Lakes, Florida.{{Cite web |title=Michael Lee Lockhart #430 |url=http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/death/US/lockhart430.htm |access-date=2022-08-21 |website=www.clarkprosecutor.org}} He received death sentences in both states.{{cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/florida/supreme-court/1995/82096-0.html|title=Lockhart v. State|website=Justia|accessdate=October 19, 2021}} (Florida case) Lockhart was also a suspect in the murder of Kathy Hobbs, a 16-year-old girl abducted from Las Vegas, Nevada in 1987. Her case was featured on Unsolved Mysteries in 1989 but remains officially unsolved.{{Cite news|url=https://unsolved.com/gallery/katherine-hobbs/|title=Katherine Hobbs - Unsolved Mysteries|work=Unsolved Mysteries|access-date=2017-10-22|language=en-US}} Prior to his cross country murder spree, Lockhart had a previous conviction for robbery in Wyoming.{{cite web|url=https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/death_row/dr_info/lockhartmichael.jpg|title=Death Row Information - Michael Lee Lockhart|website=Texas Department of Criminal Justice}}

Execution

Lockhart was executed on December 9, 1997, in Texas. His last meal consisted of a double-meat cheeseburger, French fries, and Coca-Cola. Lockhart's last words were; "a lot of people view what is happening here as evil, but I want you to know that I found love and compassion here. The people who work here, I thank them for the kindness they have shown me and I deeply appreciate all that has been done for me by the people who work here. That's all, Warden. I'm ready."{{cite web|url=http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/death/US/lockhart430.htm|title=Michael Lee Lockhart #430|work=clarkprosecutor.org|access-date=18 January 2015}}

Nearly one hundred Beaumont police officers turned up to Lockhart's execution and they applauded, clapped, and cheered as witnesses emerged from the prison following the execution.{{cite news|title=States execute convicted killers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-states-execute-co/161711301/|newspaper=The Grand Rapids Press|date=December 10, 1997|page=6|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 28, 2024}}

Lockhart is buried at Captain Joe Byrd Cemetery.