GUILTY GA - Lauren Giddings, 27, Macon, 26 June 2011 #12

[southern_comfort]

Wow... gone for a few days, and look what happens!

I am with those who do not believe McD wrote that post. Sounds like trolling to me. I also very vaguely remember the post, and I think it was quickly dismissed as trolling on the other site at the time (and probably deleted).

As a foundation for attributing this post to McD, Winters gives no basis beyond the fact that McD used the screenname, SoL. If they had computer forensics proving that the post came from one of McD's devices or his IP, they'd have said so. As we all know, the screenname in this case means absolutely nothing. IMO, either they really are that incompetent, or it just didn't matter to them for purposes of this hearing.

It could be presented as evidence in the context of a bond hearing when there is no way it would fly in a trial, but like others, even though they could present it, I have to wonder why they would. One would hope there'd be plenty of real evidence paving the route between false evidence and crucial, sensitive, save-for-trial evidence.

 

[southern_comfort]

I also wanted to add that the admins of a site can see where a post originates. (Right, Bessie?) Before deeming it trolling and deleting it, they could have seen that it came from Timbuktu, and not Macon, GA.

 

[Givsmetheshivers]

I did, too, and I think MAYBE this post came in that form, from a joking SoL-impostor, later. The V-card part would make better sense then -- one of those folks picking up on the "he told LE he was a virgin" theme and working it in there. The best I can tell on that site, you could probably post with any name you choose, though I'm not SURE -- and certainly you can post anonymously. Someone could have done that and just said, "This is SoL checking in", etc.

But, like you, I have a real hard time thinking this is an actual screw-up, that the DA would bungle THAT bad. Let's hope not!

I do think it is possible, however, that if such a post was made by another "SoL", the DA might, might, might -- make reference to SM's real internet postings as SoL, then bundle this one on in for effect. It would not be completely untruthful to state, then, that the post was made by SoL.

This was a highly-anticipated bond hearing... and one that was bound to receive major media coverage. Kind of like with the commitment hearing, I'm sure careful thought was given to what previously-unannounced evidence could be "sacrificed" to make an impact yet not tip the prosecution's hand any more than needed, any sooner than necessary.

The underwear evidence had been leaked, so its value to-save-for-trial got a little diluted -- the sheet, well, I have a feeling that the blood, for whatever reason, has not been identified as Lauren's --don't believe Winters stated it has, anyway. And this post -- well, if things were something like I'm hypothesizing, it might look really handy, for the need of the moment. The only stumper for me would be that Winters would have the gall to present it in such a tricky fashion directly to the judge...but I do think it's possible.

I know I am being bull-headed about this -- if I turn out to be wrong, I'll take my lumps. But this is important to me, because (a) if it turns out to be true, it will probably knock me off the fence, and (b) I just have a gut-level hunch something is hokey with this one.

Most folks out in media-land don't read here, don't have the history we have with these posts. They are not going to scrutinize and wonder and ponder like us -- it will just bombshell them, maybe undo a little of the questioning in this case that seems to have arisen of late with some of the public at large.

bessie, you, with many others, say you have always deemed the posts very important to the case, while I have said several times before they are probably what I weight the least -- with one of the main reasons being that, disturbing as some might be, I see no direct connection with the crime. This post, if genuine, of course, would be a way different story.

Nobody answered me a page or so back when I asked whether anyone knew whether the April 20 deadline for disclosure to the defense that is stated in one link I posted is correct. If it is -- if this post is to be presented as evidence -- I sure hope the defense gets all the details on this one. And not because I wish to see a murderer go free, either.

Which brings a question to mind: If Winters referenced this post but does NOT plan to present it as evidence (if it has served its purpose already, in other words) -- would it still have to be included in disclosure?

Actually, if you read the SOL rants on the other site, it was very common for SMD to lament his V-Card status...so yes it could have come from an imposter, however, it was brought up from time to time over the years he was on that site.
In other words, it was something that he actually talked about openly on the site and not a personal factoid that he only shared with LE.

I have heard they have good evidence. I just think the reading of the post was to show that he is not this upstanding, baby-faced law student from a long line of Georgia's founding fathers.

 

[southern_comfort]

Actually, if you read the SOL rants on the other site, it was very common for SMD to lament his V-Card status...so yes it could have come from an imposter, however, it was brought up from time to time over the years he was on that site.
In other words, it was something that he actually talked about openly on the site and not a personal factoid that he only shared with LE.

I have heard they have good evidence. I just think the reading of the post was to show that he is not this upstanding, baby-faced law student from a long line of Georgia's founding fathers.

So are you of the mind that this post was actually written by McD, then?

Because there are plenty of posts that I feel sure were written by him that could have been used for this purpose.

 

[Backwoods]

Actually, if you read the SOL rants on the other site, it was very common for SMD to lament his V-Card status...so yes it could have come from an imposter, however, it was brought up from time to time over the years he was on that site.
In other words, it was something that he actually talked about openly on the site and not a personal factoid that he only shared with LE.

I have heard they have good evidence. I just think the reading of the post was to show that he is not this upstanding, baby-faced law student from a long line of Georgia's founding fathers.

I didn't remember any mention of his v-card status from the posts, and several of us yesterday were trying to recall if it was ever mentioned. Since no one spoke up with a "yes", was thinking that it must not have been. I will have to look back at the posts I have and see if I can find a mention. Or can someone direct me to one, maybe (by date, for example)?

 

[southern_comfort]

I didn't remember any mention of his v-card status from the posts, and several of us yesterday were trying to recall if it was ever mentioned. Since no one spoke up with a "yes", was thinking that it must not have been. I will have to look back at the posts I have and see if I can find a mention. Or can someone direct me to one, maybe (by date, for example)?

I'm searching around, too. The only thing I remember specifically is that he posted about how difficult he finds it to talk to or connect with girls, and how it feels to have to watch from afar. That's not an exact quote by any means.

 

[Sonya610]

I also wanted to add that the admins of a site can see where a post originates. (Right, Bessie?) Before deeming it trolling and deleting it, they could have seen that it came from Timbuktu, and not Macon, GA.

I am confused by this post. Was someone attempting to hide their location?

 

[Givsmetheshivers]

All of those posts were time and date stamped. Don't you think LE was smart enough to at least check the time and date stamp on the post to see whether or not it would even be feasible for McD to post that?

Why would some troll put that up after they only interviewed MCD on TV? I don't think I understand the troll theory. It seems like the trolls would have posted it AFTER they knew of McD's arrest and then it would be a moot point because it would be after McD had access to a computer.

Plus, we all have IP addresses. There is a footprint of everywhere we go on our computers. Computer forensics had his computer for a while...don't you think they could have found something? This ain't their first rodeo.

I guess I just don't think all hope is lost on the evidence because LE didn't call me up and say "Hey Givsmetheshivers, we have a bloody footprint, a smoking gun, and DNA all over the darn place." I don't understand the glass half empty philosophy.

 

[Backwoods]

All of those posts were time and date stamped. Don't you think LE was smart enough to at least check the time and date stamp on the post to see whether or not it would even be feasible for McD to post that?

Why would some troll put that up after they only interviewed MCD on TV? I don't think I understand the troll theory. It seems like the trolls would have posted it AFTER they knew of McD's arrest and then it would be a moot point because it would be after McD had access to a computer.

Plus, we all have IP addresses. There is a footprint of everywhere we go on our computers. Computer forensics had his computer for a while...don't you think they could have found something? This ain't their first rodeo.

I guess I just don't think all hope is lost on the evidence because LE didn't call me up and say "Hey Givsmetheshivers, we have a bloody footprint, a smoking gun, and DNA all over the darn place." I don't understand the glass half empty philosophy.

I think it wasn't made by SM and I think the prosecution knows it wasn't. But they could "truthfully" say, for the purposes of a bond hearing, that it was posted under the name SoL, even if someone else posted it, and even it was posted considerably after SM was in jail.

 

[Backwoods]

I am confused by this post. Was someone attempting to hide their location?

I believe the poster meant, in the case of any impostor-SoL posts on the other site, the location would be traceable. (I don't know, myself -- don't have the expertise.)

 

[Backwoods]

I'm searching around, too. The only thing I remember specifically is that he posted about how difficult he finds it to talk to or connect with girls, and how it feels to have to watch from afar. That's not an exact quote by any means.

Yes, and lamenting not having a girlfriend on Valentine's Day.

 

[Sonya610]

I guess I just don't think all hope is lost on the evidence because LE didn't call me up and say "Hey Givsmetheshivers, we have a bloody footprint, a smoking gun, and DNA all over the darn place." I don't understand the glass half empty philosophy.

This is a death penalty trial. Every detail counts.

If the prosecution enters into evidence a post that claims the defendant drugged, raped, and barbequed the victim....

And it turns out that post was NOT posted by the defendant....OR it turns out it WAS posted by the defendant...but the forensic evidence cannot prove the defendant was drugged/barbequed and there is no other REAL hard core evidence, major major problem.

See the trap? Catch 22. Is the post real? If the post is REAL it doesn't fit the crime....if the post is FAKE it is faulty evidence! Either way no execution and no conviction (well no conviction without really really hard core forensic evidence, and if they had hard core forensic evidence they wouldn't be citing internet posts along with no other real evidence).

Machiavellian to an extreme.

 

[southern_comfort]

I am confused by this post. Was someone attempting to hide their location?

My only point was that vigilant moderators/admins use IP addresses to determine whether a post is trolling. Assuming the mod was doing his/her job thoroughly, the fact this post was deleted as trolling is good evidence that it originated from somewhere other than McD's locale.

 

[southern_comfort]

This is a death penalty trial. Every detail counts.

If the prosecution enters into evidence a post that claims the defendant drugged, raped, and barbequed the victim....

And it turns out that post was NOT posted by the defendant....OR it turns out it WAS posted by the defendant...but the forensic evidence cannot prove the defendant was drugged or barbequed and there is no other REAL hard core evidence, major major problem.

See the trap? Catch 22. Is the post real? Or is it fake? Either way they entered it into evidence and it doesn't fit the crime!

It is not "entered into evidence".

 

[Backwoods]

My only point was that vigilant moderators/admins use IP addresses to determine whether a post is trolling. Assuming the mod was doing his/her job thoroughly, the fact this post was deleted as trolling is good evidence that it originated from somewhere other than McD's locale.

Some are theorizing that LE found the post EARLY EARLY on, removed it, and left the others.

Not what I think, but that is one theory that has been given.

 

[southern_comfort]

It is not "entered into evidence".

Quoting myself to correct myself...

It's not entered into evidence at trial, and they didn't lie. I don't think this will come back to bite them later.

 

[Backwoods]

It is not "entered into evidence".

Thanks for that -- I have been wondering. Does that mean it may not be subject to the rules of disclosure? (Unless they do plan to use it at trial, I mean.)

 

[Givsmetheshivers]

I didn't remember any mention of his v-card status from the posts, and several of us yesterday were trying to recall if it was ever mentioned. Since no one spoke up with a "yes", was thinking that it must not have been. I will have to look back at the posts I have and see if I can find a mention. Or can someone direct me to one, maybe (by date, for example)?

I read what felt like hundreds of them, so no, I can't date them for you. I remembered thinking that it was weird to tell all of these "alpha" males (their words) this very private thing. It made me a little sad that he felt that close to people on the internet.

Maybe I am totally wrong though. I wanted to read them, and then I didn't...but it was like a train wreck...I couldn't stop.

 

[Givsmetheshivers]

So are you of the mind that this post was actually written by McD, then?

Because there are plenty of posts that I feel sure were written by him that could have been used for this purpose.

I am saying that both sides of the troll/no troll argument seem to be speculating because no one knows more than that.

I will say that I think he could have written it, but a troll could have written it too....I just don't know why everyone assumes LE would just f-up EVERY SINGLE THING.

 

[Backwoods]

I read what felt like hundreds of them, so no, I can't date them for you. I remembered thinking that it was weird to tell all of these "alpha" males (their words) this very private thing. It made me a little sad that he felt that close to people on the internet.

Maybe I am totally wrong though. I wanted to read them, and then I didn't...but it was like a train wreck...I couldn't stop.

You may well be remembering correctly. I just didn't remember, and would like to check again. It has been many months, many words read, and much emotion for many of us.