GUILTY GA - Lauren Giddings, 27, Macon, 26 June 2011 # 4

[Jessicaleanne1992]

I'm pretty sure that was just a rumor.

Adding:
There are some pics of him with one (maybe more) around Christmas time, probably gifts.
I don't know that 2 or 3 knives constitutes a "collection"

thanks! i had been wondering. i couldnt find anything on him.

 

[~SuperSleuth~]

This time of death thing goes to a line of thinking I've had recently and was meaning to bring up - could Lauren have been attacked initially while she was sleeping? That is, the perp gained entry (through the front door) then proceeded to <do whatever he did> in her bedroom.

Supporting this theory:
1) the mother's early statement that LG "didn't really know what hit her"
2) no signs of a struggle in the apartment or loud noises reported by neighbors; perp could have more easily subdued a sleeping Lauren
3) if time of death really is the wee hours of 7/26, 1 to 3 AM, as outlined in quoted post

Against this theory:
1) LG had some kind of security bar for the front door .... it would have had to have not been in use for the perp to enter without her knowledge
2) same deal with the alarm, would have to be unarmed
3) LG would have to have gone to bed relatively early; last known contact was the e-mail at 10:30 and she was supposedly very active on e-mail, texts, maybe facebook ... leads me to believe she either was attacked shortly after 10:30, or else she went to bed shortly after 10:30.

I may be forgetting or overlooking some details. Overall I find this scenario LESS likely than other alternatives, namely that she was awake and allowed the perp to enter her apartment (because she knew him) ... but just wanted to throw it out there as I hadn't seen it discussed here and couldn't think of anything that would eliminate it as a possibility.

I believe either Kaitlyn or BB stated that she would put that door jamb in place before going to bed.
So, as you said, the likelihood that someone slipped in while she was sleeping is pretty remote.

 

[MissingLovedOnes]

Sorry, PhychoMom . . . With all respect for your professional opinion about SMD's demeanor on camera, I think you are neglecting to consider one of the most important questions here. WHY is he doing the interview at all?

How many of LG's law school friends, including those who looked for her Wed. night and went to the MPD with SMD on Thursday, consented to an interview? Zero. Why is that?

Several reasons: they are personally upset about the disappearance of their friend LG; and (later) even more upset about her death; and they consider this a personal loss. They want to be with and talk with their friends who knew LG, not to communicate with the public or explain things to a pushy reporter who did not know LG and is acting in a manner most of us would find offensive, wanting to record video of either anguish, maudlin sentimentality, or shock. Surely people don't want to display themselves to others at a time such as this.

After the friends are informed that LG has been killed, they realize that a crime has been committed and desire to cooperate fully with LE, but would think that media questions to them at this time are both intrusive and likely to not assist LE in solving the crime and arresting the perpetrator.

SMD, on the other hand, is moved to give all sorts of information in extreme detail. That is a defensible action, especially when he thinks LG is missing, but after he learns a body has been found, I think it indicates that he is making a terribly bad decision to attempt to sell the media on the alternative theories (snatched while running; hoodlums; BF) that he has thought through so many times in the past 5 days. He has rehearsed these facts and he wants to publish them, hence the continued interview after he regains his composure and returns from the ATT building.

He even remembers the name of the detective whose car in in front of the apts. He has been paying acute attention to all the details of the investigation, more than I think is normal.

More than anything else, though, the fact that he goes on camera repeatedly tells me he has a reason other than concern for Lauren Giddings.

I'm responding to the part I highlighted in bold.


He is a law student. Acute attention to detail is a GREAT trait to have & it's something we all should strive for, but you speak of this as if it's negative and hints that he's more interested than what you think is NORMAL. (If my friend and neighbor was missing. I would pay attention to everything too.)
A great memory, not to mention the ability to focus & recall details of anything, is great! It's a gift, not a curse.

If you are a killer, making a shrine to victims in your closet is not normal.
Being able to recall names and dates and details is NORMAL, especially if the situation in which you are recalling facts about is happening to you right THEN.

 

[Knox]

I'm responding to the part I highlighted in bold.


He is a law student. Acute attention to detail is a GREAT trait to have & it's something we all should strive for, but you speak of this as if it's negative and hints that he's more interested than what you think is NORMAL. (If my friend and neighbor was missing. I would pay attention to everything too.)
A great memory, not to mention the ability to focus & recall details of anything, is great! It's a gift, not a curse.

If you are a killer, making a shrine to victims in your closet is not normal.
Being able to recall names and dates and details is NORMAL, especially if the situation in which you are recalling facts about is happening to you right THEN.

Jumping off your post-BBM

A few things come to mind about McD's memory which I find curious.

He mentions Butterbean getting hit three years ago as a point of reference when asked about meeting/knowing Lauren's family.

But neglects to mention running into Kaitlyn on the stairs at Lauren's apartment and being at the bar for the pre-grad party. Also, attending a graduation celebration at Pig & Fish that Lauren and another student's family threw. These occasions were in May, much more recent than Butterbean's accident. Granted the interaction may have been very casual, he may not have even spoke to them in depth.

Just another of those little things that catches your attention and what Smooth was describing in her post on the prior page.

 

[MissingLovedOnes]

I think that unfortunately, this is an area where a person has to have some first-hand experience in order to be able to accurately weigh its relevance. If you've not had significant interaction with a person dealing with Asperger's, all the armchair psychology and reading in the world probably isn't going to help you. On the other hand, if you've got that experience, you can often spot the subtle signs very quickly and accurately.

I also feel quite strongly that there are signs of Asperger's in his speech and mannerisms.

Very Well Said! You summed it up very nicely. I agree with a big hug to you because it's sad that so many people in society don't know about many disorders and syndromes they come in contact with so often. (They are ignorant, with no disrespect intended, just ignorant of the signs and only want to put in as much effort as it takes to shun & criticize, as opposed to looking it up and learning about how to recognize & socialize with those who have this.

I too feel there are indeed signs of Asperger's and it appears you and I spotted them based on our experience, which gives us the advantage over those who refuse to consider it based on their lack of knowledge about it. Those people will continue to debate about why he spoke this way, or that way, or maybe some will find delight in drawing wild conclusions about how it surely must be a sign of guilt that he has a great memory. You and I know, for a person with Asperger's, the acute attention to detail or ability to focus on something is an inherent part of the syndrome. It's just there. They don't have to work at it, or practice memorizing names or details, they just never forget. It's like a walk in the park; ain't nothing to it.

Some people confuse the gifts and talents of others and blessings bestowed upon them as negative, or wrong, or bad, simply because they don't know enough about those gifts and talents to make a fair judgement.

For the person to state that they won't consider Asperger's unless SMD is diagnosed, I hope they don't hold their breath. A diagnosis is not always formally made, and besides, does a doctor's nod on a diagnosis really make a hill of beans to even consider it and learn about what it is? Maybe they work with someone like this and reading and learning can't harm a thing.

Thanks again for putting your thoughts into words so well. I appreciate your post so much.

 

[angelanalyzes]

I agree they vary. Which is why you can't look at someone's reaction in a time of stress and say whether it's genuine or not. Everyone is different. I thought it was genuine based on the way I saw people react to stress during the time I was a nurse. Doesn't mean I'm right but that's my opinion.

I never felt that anything about McDaniel's reaction was "fake'' exactly, not based on the things he said or even on hearing the audio of his reaction to the finding of a body, it wasn't until I saw the video that I realized he, for whatever reason, guilty or innocent, was exaggerating his behavior for the cameras.
It specifically was the way he sounded when he said "BODY?" and all that took place right after that. You may not be able to judge guilt or innocence based on the content of a person's reaction to something traumatic, but I think it's fair to say that human beings, no matter the situation, can get a gut feeling about if someone is a bad actor.
It's a Rorschach test of course, since everyone may look at one person and see the whole gamut of sincerity to insincerity, but it isn't based necessarily on incorrectly expecting people to follow certain "steps" of grieving or reaction trauma, or hit certain behavioral markers.
It's a bit like a lie detector test, your gut. It's not admissible in a court of law because it isn't 100% proof positive, but it's helpful as an investigative tool.

 

[angelanalyzes]

I've not seen any evidence that he was "in the habit of wearing big knives".
It's rumored he had a knife and/or sword collection, which may be true.
Lots of guys went through phases of being infatuated by knives like that
when I was growing up - especially when Rambo came out
I think everyone was walking around with one of those cheap imitations
with the compass on the handle and the water-proof matches inside.

[respectfully snipped)

LOL. I have that exact knife, wow.

 

[Backwoods]

This time of death thing goes to a line of thinking I've had recently and was meaning to bring up - could Lauren have been attacked initially while she was sleeping? That is, the perp gained entry (through the front door) then proceeded to <do whatever he did> in her bedroom.

Supporting this theory:
1) the mother's early statement that LG "didn't really know what hit her"
2) no signs of a struggle in the apartment or loud noises reported by neighbors; perp could have more easily subdued a sleeping Lauren
3) if time of death really is the wee hours of 7/26, 1 to 3 AM, as outlined in quoted post

Against this theory:
1) LG had some kind of security bar for the front door .... it would have had to have not been in use for the perp to enter without her knowledge
2) same deal with the alarm, would have to be unarmed
3) LG would have to have gone to bed relatively early; last known contact was the e-mail at 10:30 and she was supposedly very active on e-mail, texts, maybe facebook ... leads me to believe she either was attacked shortly after 10:30, or else she went to bed shortly after 10:30.

I may be forgetting or overlooking some details. Overall I find this scenario LESS likely than other alternatives, namely that she was awake and allowed the perp to enter her apartment (because she knew him) ... but just wanted to throw it out there as I hadn't seen it discussed here and couldn't think of anything that would eliminate it as a possibility.

Your theory kind of ties up with something that has been mulling around in my mind: Lauren's cell phone found on the bed, while her purse, ID, keys, etc. were found on the couch.

I believe the first LE report states it was found on the bed. Of course, it's also reported by SM that the friends, while searching, found the phone and charged it up enough to check the latest calls -- and we don't KNOW that they didn't carry it into the bedroom and lay it down as they searched, or maybe took it in there to charge it. BUT -- if they originally found it in the bedroom -- maybe Lauren went into the bedroom to relax, make a few calls, then fell asleep in just sort of a nappy way (not meaning to retire for the night). She wouldn't necessarily have put the doorjamb in place in that situation.

 

[Backwoods]

I believe either Kaitlyn or BB stated that she would put that door jamb in place before going to bed.
So, as you said, the likelihood that someone slipped in while she was sleeping is pretty remote.

...but see my post above about the cell phone

 

[Backwoods]

Jumping off your post-BBM

A few things come to mind about McD's memory which I find curious.

He mentions Butterbean getting hit three years ago as a point of reference when asked about meeting/knowing Lauren's family.

But neglects to mention running into Kaitlyn on the stairs at Lauren's apartment and being at the bar for the pre-grad party. Also, attending a graduation celebration at Pig & Fish that Lauren and another student's family threw. These occasions were in May, much more recent than Butterbean's accident. Granted the interaction may have been very casual, he may not have even spoke to them in depth.

Just another of those little things that catches your attention and what Smooth was describing in her post on the prior page.

Somehow I wonder if he took the reporter's question about ever meeting her family to mean, first and foremost, her parents...? Maybe that's when he first met them? No real reason I can outline for my wondering this, just a hunch.

 

[Backwoods]

"...Kaitlyn says Lauren never said anything about feeling threatened by McDaniel or feeling like he was untrustworthy. When I asked Kaitlyn if Lauren had ever mentioned McDaniel she said yes because they were neighbors for three years, but not because they were friends..."

link: http://www.newscentralga.com/news/l...-NewsCentrals-Michelle-Quesada-126357768.html

This link has been posted before, I think, but with the earlier discussion about Kaitlyn commenting or not commenting that LG felt uncomfortable around SM, thought I would post it again, with the section above (from about one-third of the way through the article) highlighted. Looks like this particular interview was done just a few days ago, on Thursday, July 28.

As for the earlier 13WMAZ interview -- wow, I'm still really confused! Someone posted the link and when I went to it I got only a segment of about 2 minutes, tops, with little to no mention of the relationship of LG and SM. When I revisited shortly thereafter, I DID get to listen to the whole 11-minutes-plus version, including parts about the event LG invited SM to come along with friends to, etc., but I didn't hear Kaitlyn say that LG felt uncomfortable around SM.

Please understand -- I'm NOT saying that she didn't say it -- just that I didn't hear it. My computer speakers are not the best and my hearing is not good, so I easily could have missed it. I just remember I was surprised, and confused, when a poster mentioned the remark a bit later. BUT, when I went back to relisten -- I was getting a shorter version again! AARRRGH!!!

Did anybody think to transcribe the 13WMAZ interview? Or can anyone tell me pretty closely just what she did say along those lines?

 

[katydid23]

My son went through a knife collecting phase when he was 18 and 19. He and his friend would go to the knife and gun shows and trade and collect weird exotic knives. Eventually, thank goodness, he sold them all when he was saving up to get his own place. But I would not accuse some one of murder based upon them having a knife collection.

My question is something I have not found anywhere yet. [ I may have missed it though.]

Was there any forensic evidence found in McD's apt indicating he had been cutting up a body there?

 

[JeannieC]

BACKWARDS HERE IS THE PRINTED TRANSCRIPT


Giddings' sister, Kaitlyn, says McDaniel and her sister were not close friends. In describing their relationship, Kaitlyn says that her understanding is that McDaniel and Lauren were "hi and bye" friends. They would talk to each other when they would cross paths on the steps or balcony of their apartments at Barristers Hall Apartment Complex on Georgia Avenue.

Kaitlyn says Lauren never said anything about feeling threatened by McDaniel or feeling like he was untrustworthy. When I asked Kaitlyn if Lauren had ever mentioned McDaniel she said yes because they were neighbors for three years, but not because they were friends.

I asked Kaitlyn whether she thought it was fair that Macon Police had not identified any other persons of interest in the case and she said she has not heard of any other persons of interest. She says Macon Police have been very "tight-lipped" on the investigation and she understands that it is done to not jeopardize any part of the case.

I asked her about her comment during Judge Pirro's show when she said she does not think anyone who she's looked in the eyes killed her sister.

"It's hard to believe, you want to hope that it's no one, but obviously someone did do this. I don't know, I'm not in the FBI or an investigator and we all have our theories in our head, but until we know for sure, 100 percent , we believe in the justice system and he [McDaniel] like everybody else is innocent until proven guilty,...and right now he's innocent," said Wheeler.

link: http://www.newscentralga.com/news/lo...126357768.html

 

[SouthernKate]

My son went through a knife collecting phase when he was 18 and 19. He and his friend would go to the knife and gun shows and trade and collect weird exotic knives. Eventually, thank goodness, he sold them all when he was saving up to get his own place. But I would not accuse some one of murder based upon them having a knife collection.

My question is something I have not found anywhere yet. [ I may have missed it though.]

Was there any forensic evidence found in McD's apt indicating he had been cutting up a body there?

There have been no answers/results revealed from any of the forensic evidence that the FBI has examined.

They have sent over 200 pieces of evidence, but so far, no answers yet (at least that have been revealed). I think everyone is anxious as to what the evidence reveals, but unfortunately, there have been no answers yet.

 

[Backwoods]

BACKWARDS HERE IS THE PRINTED TRANSCRIPT
l

Thanks, JeannieC --bless your heart -- but... I didn't mean this print article at the Fox24 site that I just posted the link to.

What I was hoping for was that someone had maybe done a transcript of the phone interview of Kaitlyn done a few days before the Fox24 one by a different news station (13WMAZ), the 11-minutes-long version that everyone was posting about a page or two back. In that interview, folks say, Kaitlyn says that LG did feel threatened (or something similar) by SM. But apparently the interview has several versions and I don't think the long version is posted anymore.

 

[SmoothOperator]

An arrest is coming.. And it's going to be sooner rather than later.. Kaitlyn Wheeler says that she would hope to see an arrest soon.. It won't be long until justice finally starts it's course on behalf of Lauren's life being stolen from her and the many who love her..

Let the system do its job.. It's what Lauren, herself firmly believed so strongly in.. The people at the helm are ensuring that this justice will be seen.. Everyone is working toward ensuring that the justice is inescapable.. That system that Lauren honored and respected will not fail her and those responsible will be held to that swift and firm justice that is heading quickly their way..moo

 

[JeannieC]

Thanks, JeannieC --bless your heart -- but... I didn't mean this print article at the Fox24 site that I just posted the link to.

What I was hoping for was that someone had maybe done a transcript of the phone interview of Kaitlyn done a few days before the Fox24 one by a different news station (13WMAZ), the 11-minutes-long version that everyone was posting about a page or two back. In that interview, folks say, Kaitlyn says that LG did feel threatened (or something similar) by SM. But apparently the interview has several versions and I don't think the long version is posted anymore.

Sorry. I'll try the other one when I'm not so tired....lol

 

[SmoothOperator]

Here's the link to the11 minute raw interview with Kaitlyn.. I've heard it when it first posted last week and it doesn't have kaitlyn saying that about naming McD.. The only place I've seen that stated was in the comments section on Macon.com ..http://www.13wmaz.com/video/1084895839001/0/RAW-Lauren-Giddings-Sister-Talks-About-Investigation

 

[Backwoods]

Here's the link to the11 minute raw interview with Kaitlyn.. I've heard it when it first posted last week and it doesn't have kaitlyn saying that about naming McD.. The only place I've seen that stated was in the comments section on Macon.com ..http://www.13wmaz.com/video/1084895839001/0/RAW-Lauren-Giddings-Sister-Talks-About-Investigation

I'm more and more confused! Smooth, weren't some people saying on here that she stated something in this interview about LG feeling uncomfortable around SM ??

If not...no wonder I couldn't hear it, with all my relistening, LOL

 

[Backwoods]

Don't think this has been posted yet -- not really about the crime or investigation, but might hold some interest:

link: http://www.macon.com/2011/07/31/164...-move-into-barristers.html#storylink=misearch

"New law students move into Giddings' former apartment complex"
"DD Jr. will be following in his father&#8217;s footsteps in more ways than one as he prepares for his first semester at Mercer University&#8217;s law school, his namesake&#8217;s alma mater.
He considered at least eight different places to live in Macon before deciding Barristers Hall, the Georgia Avenue apartment complex that sits just steps from the Walter F. George School of Law, was the best fit. ..."