GUILTY GA - Lauren Giddings, 27, Macon, 26 June 2011 # 2

[AgentFrankLundy]

This just adds to the weirdness of the whole thing.So McDaniel didn't work for the DA's office when the crimes allegedly occurred, 2008 and 2009 but his upcoming hearing will be after he worked with them, and people in his office surely knew Stephen or worked with Stephen. Why isn't he going to recuse himself and his office, let someone else take it? Was Floyd Buford throwing this out there as a test run for a murder trial ? Curiouser and curiouser every single day, and still nothing back from Quantico yet? I know those guys can work quicker than that when they have to

 

[SmoothOperator]

Just as someone already mentioned.. Why in the world would this DA's office just not take the safest route possible in completely excusing themselves from anything to do with this case or this individual facing these charges??

I don't get it.. I mean it has already been brought up as a possible conflict thus why it's been asked to be reviewed for possible prosecution to be handled by a different, totally unrelated office.. It's been mentioned, a request for a review filed, media is reporting on it... So I just don't get why in the world they'd even to want to touch the case with a 10 foot pole when these issues and questions have already been brought up?? Why even would this office want the headache of dealing with this knowing full well that at any time numerous different individuals could start a brew-ha-ha over this office handling the case and then call into question everything from what the offices motives were, question why they were determined to handle the case themselves when it very easily could be passed on to another office that has absolutely no ties to the defendant whatsoever.. Theegor making it a clear cut and dry deal with knowing there are no biases involved whatsoever..

Just seems like a humongous headache and stressful situation that could be so very easily resolved.. And creating a situation that would definitely be questionable in some people's view and opinion..

I just don't understand their even wanting to do this much less putting up a little fight to infact be able to keep control of the case by this particular DA's office..

Very, very strange IMO!!

 

[bessie]

Just as someone already mentioned.. Why in the world would this DA's office just not take the safest route possible in completely excusing themselves from anything to do with this case or this individual facing these charges??

respectfully snipped
To buy time, perhaps.

 

[currcat]

I concur that the Bibb DA should just recuse himself and his office from the prosecution of SM, regardless of the charges. Its my understanding that if the motion of recussal is granted by the judge on Friday that the State Attorneys office will take over or assign another DA to handle the case. Does anyone here know for sure what would happen/how that would be handled?

Also, one thing still bothering me: Seems to me that a young, attractive, outgoing, social young woman such as Lauren would have had some plans for her last week-end living in Macon. What have her friends actually said about this? That is other than the friend that had invited her camping and then never heard back. Anyone know?

 

[Lawette32]

I concur that the Bibb DA should just recuse himself and his office from the prosecution of SM, regardless of the charges. Its my understanding that if the motion of recussal is granted by the judge on Friday that the State Attorneys office will take over or assign another DA to handle the case. Does anyone here know for sure what would happen/how that would be handled?

Also, one thing still bothering me: Seems to me that a young, attractive, outgoing, social young woman such as Lauren would have had some plans for her last week-end living in Macon. What have her friends actually said about this? That is other than the friend that had invited her camping and then never heard back. Anyone know?

It is my understanding that the most likely option would be that a"special prosecutor" would be appointed. Basically, when the entire DA's office has a conflict, a DA from outside of the circuit would be brought into the district solely to try the case. So it would likely still be heard in Macon because that's where venue is appropriate, but a DA from outside of the circuit will be responsible for trying the case.

 

[currcat]

It is my understanding that the most likely option would be that a"special prosecutor" would be appointed. Basically, when the entire DA's office has a conflict, a DA from outside of the circuit would be brought into the district solely to try the case. So it would likely still be heard in Macon because that's where venue is appropriate, but a DA from outside of the circuit will be responsible for trying the case.

Thanks Lawette, sounds like there might be more than one possible way to handle the matter, but the scenario you give does seem plausable. Is the Macon circut still comprised of Bibb, Crawford, and Peach counties?

 

[southern_comfort]

Two possibilities:

1. They don't have much of a case and they know it. Too much trouble and expense for something that's not going to stick. They'll either have to charge him soon or let it go.

2. If they admit they've got a conflict with the burglary charges, then they've got a potential problem with anything else they might want to charge him with.

 

[GeorgiaSunshine]

I concur that the Bibb DA should just recuse himself and his office from the prosecution of SM, regardless of the charges. Its my understanding that if the motion of recussal is granted by the judge on Friday that the State Attorneys office will take over or assign another DA to handle the case. Does anyone here know for sure what would happen/how that would be handled?

Also, one thing still bothering me: Seems to me that a young, attractive, outgoing, social young woman such as Lauren would have had some plans for her last week-end living in Macon. What have her friends actually said about this? That is other than the friend that had invited her camping and then never heard back. Anyone know?

http://macon.13wmaz.com/news/news/giddings-friends-mercer-community-speak-out/54705

From this interview it almost sounded like the holiday weekend he was talking about going camping, but we all scratch our heads at that, because Giddings was moving back to Atlanta on Thursday, July 1st (or was supposed to, the day the police found her mutilated torso) i can't see her going camping just on Sunday June 26th, so I am very confused by this interview, and remember she was studying for the bar and about to move back to Atlanta...why would she have a big rendevouz planned? Most of her friends were either already moved out, back in Atlanta or studying for the bar.

 

[Jessicaleanne1992]

"At the time of the initial report, authorities were unable to contact him."

Well, that is interesting

i dont think they were that serious. on their facebooks, they dont even list being in a relationship...at all.

so, maybe they were just seeing each other?

 

[Lawette32]

Thanks Lawette, sounds like there might be more than one possible way to handle the matter, but the scenario you give does seem plausable. Is the Macon circut still comprised of Bibb, Crawford, and Peach counties?

Yes, it is.

As far as everyone's speculation as to why the DA's office wouldn't voluntarily opt out, I'm a little surprised by that as well. My guess would be that the DA and/or ADA's that would be responsible for trying the case feel like they had very little meaningful contact with him when he interned for their office, and so do not feel like their judgment would be conflicted. Also, maybe it's the idea that they want responsibility for trying the case because it happened on Bibb County's "turf," and so the office wants the potential community kudos that comes along with successfully prosecuting such a high-profile case.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

i dont think they were that serious. on their facebooks, they dont even list being in a relationship...at all.

so, maybe they were just seeing each other?

A bunch of things on their FB pages have been removed since this whole thing started.

 

[Jessicaleanne1992]

A bunch of things on their FB pages have been removed since this whole thing started.

i see. i didnt know that. thanks.

 

[GeorgiaSunshine]

i dont think they were that serious. on their facebooks, they dont even list being in a relationship...at all.

so, maybe they were just seeing each other?

Yes, they were serious...from very reliable source, and who goes by what is up on Facebook...most adults who have been married, divorced or through a really bad breakup, know how self-defeating it is to change the status of your relationship and have everyone comment..i have been in a serious relationship, and we both choose to have blank (no disclaimer). I also saw earlier someone wrote about there is not that many pics of them...when did telling the public you were happy mean you are really happy? In my experience, most of the couples who make it do not post on facebook love notes to each other and to the world (you know what i mean the all-the- time kind not just the wish-them-a-happy-birthday-or-anniversary message type)...they actually communicate privately via email, text, phone or in person.

 

[ThinMan]

Yes, it is.

As far as everyone's speculation as to why the DA's office wouldn't voluntarily opt out, . . . .
Also, maybe it's the idea that they want responsibility for trying the case because it happened on Bibb County's "turf," and so the office wants the potential community kudos that comes along with successfully prosecuting such a high-profile case.

Not at all strange that the DA would want to keep the prosecution under his control: 1) District Attorney is an elected office in Georgia; 2) the murder trial (of SMD or someone else) will be the most-watched trial in middle Georgia in decades; 3) the murder is probably a death penalty trial and may cost the county millions of dollars (so the local official responsible for that decision wants to retain total control of the case).

 

[Knox]

Yes, it is.

As far as everyone's speculation as to why the DA's office wouldn't voluntarily opt out, I'm a little surprised by that as well. My guess would be that the DA and/or ADA's that would be responsible for trying the case feel like they had very little meaningful contact with him when he interned for their office, and so do not feel like their judgment would be conflicted. Also, maybe it's the idea that they want responsibility for trying the case because it happened on Bibb County's "turf," and so the office wants the potential community kudos that comes along with successfully prosecuting such a high-profile case.

BBM-That was my thought, maybe a little bit of politics. Winters has been vocal/front and center in this case. Nothing wrong with that, smart tactic actually. Just not something you see in the majority of cases ...

Thinking way to far into the future, but it seems that a good defense attorney could use the COI as grounds for an appeal. It wouldn't have to be true, just the appearance could be suggested.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

Yes, it is.

As far as everyone's speculation as to why the DA's office wouldn't voluntarily opt out, I'm a little surprised by that as well. My guess would be that the DA and/or ADA's that would be responsible for trying the case feel like they had very little meaningful contact with him when he interned for their office, and so do not feel like their judgment would be conflicted. Also, maybe it's the idea that they want responsibility for trying the case because it happened on Bibb County's "turf," and so the office wants the potential community kudos that comes along with successfully prosecuting such a high-profile case.

I agree. It would also be very expensive to have to bring in a special prosecutor from outside the jurisdiction to handle this case or any other case that may be brought against McD. State resources are limited already. There is a lot more to it than just the actual trial of the case. I'm sure the Bibb Co. DA's office feels as though they have a vested interest in this case since it happened in their own community and they have been involved in the investigation. I'm sure they want to make sure everything is done right and nothing is overlooked. I really don't believe the judge will find a conflict on Friday anyway.

 

[Knox]

Thank you CM and Lawette32, good to have legal minds here posting.

 

[bessie]

Yes, it is.

As far as everyone's speculation as to why the DA's office wouldn't voluntarily opt out, I'm a little surprised by that as well. My guess would be that the DA and/or ADA's that would be responsible for trying the case feel like they had very little meaningful contact with him when he interned for their office, and so do not feel like their judgment would be conflicted. Also, maybe it's the idea that they want responsibility for trying the case because it happened on Bibb County's "turf," and so the office wants the potential community kudos that comes along with successfully prosecuting such a high-profile case.

Yep, and meanwhile, McD sits behind bars.

 

[Knox]

Police looking at purchases McDaniel made at Wal-Mart

By JOE KOVAC JR. and AMY LEIGH WOMACK - Telegraph staff writers

As the investigation into the slaying of recent Mercer University law school graduate Lauren Giddings nears its three-week point, Macon police have yet to publicly tip their hand regarding pertinent details of the case they are trying to build.

Other than to say the body of the 27-year-old Giddings had been dismembered and also to declare her next-door neighbor a “person of interest,” police have divulged few particulars.

McDaniel, a 25-year-old Lilburn native who started undergraduate studies at Mercer in fall 2004 before beginning law school in 2008, has not been named a suspect in Giddings’ death. He remains jailed without bond on two burglary charges unrelated to Giddings’ slaying. Detectives have scrutinized purchases of items McDaniel made at a Macon Wal-Mart store around the time of Giddings’ death, but according to a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation, it isn’t clear whether the items McDaniel bought have any bearing on the Giddings probe.

Giddings’ torso was found in a trash bin June 30, wrapped in plastic. McDaniel was charged in the predawn hours July 1, accused of a pair of burglaries in which he allegedly took two condoms from other apartments in the complex two winters ago.

Read more: http://www.macon.com/2011/07/19/1635696/police-looking-at-purchases-mcdaniel.html#ixzz1SWXX2bPc
​

 

[SmoothOperator]

Yes, I want to thank you guys(Colonel Mustard{love your new avi}..and Lawette32) as well for your answering or explaining some of our laymen questions about certain aspects thus far regarding the legal system..

Just a couple of more inquiries.. As far as possible motives for this office wanting to keep jurisdiction over this case with 2 felony burglary charges against McD.. Definitely makes sense that they may feel that McD's interning with the DA's office was in such a vein totally removed from what and where the actual prosecuting Attys work and are involved.. So due to McD's internship being such a small role and in no way in contact with prosecuting attys.. When looked at it from that view one could better understand why they feel they should be the office to carry out prosecuting McD's felony burglary charges.. As does another reason mentioned in that they possibly would like to receive the kudos from their community after successfully prosecuting this high profile case.. So, after reading several of the possible reasons or motives it doesn't seem to be quite as strange or odd for this office to attempt to keep jurisdiction over McD's present 2 felony burglary charges..

Along those same lines I wanted to ask you all's opinion of what was mentioned upthread as a possible motive for why they are fighting to keep their office in charge of prosecuting McD's 2 felony burglary charges.. Could this have something to do with a future murder charge against McD from this same DA's office??.. As was mentioned in a post upthread that possibly if Bibb Co. recused itself/was recused from McD's burglary charges due to his having interned in the DA's office.. Could that in some way negatively impact Bibb Co. in seeking murder charges against McD once the evidence and it's results are all in and indicate that McD is the perp??

That makes zero sense to me.. I find it very difficult to believe for a minute that because a criminal/perp has completed an internship for the county DA's office that is the same county within which he commits this heinous crime of murder.. Due to that internship it would cause difficulty in successfully bringing murder charges against the individual..

Is this infact a possibility?? That Bibb Co will have an issue bringing murder charges if the evidence indicates that indeed McD is Lauren's murderer?????