Suspect in Killing of Mercer Law Grad Had Talked of a Perfect Murder, Police Say
The suspect in the killing of Mercer University law graduate Lauren Giddings once talked of committing the perfect murder, according to a police officer who testified in a court hearing today.
Macon police detective David Patterson outlined the evidence against suspect Stephen McDaniel, who graduated from the law school with Giddings this year, report the Macon Telegraph and 13WMAZ.com. According to Patterson, McDaniel had told a roommate in 2008 that he could commit a perfect murder by sneaking up and overpowering a person with chloroform.
McDaniel and Giddings lived in the same Macon, Ga., apartment building. Giddings’ dismembered body was discovered in the trash outside the building on June 30.
Patterson said no chloroform was found in McDaniel’s apartment, but there was other evidence, including:
• Packaging, found in McDaniel’s apartment, for the same kind of hacksaw allegedly used in the Giddings murder. The hacksaw, found in a locked closet in the apartment building laundry laundry room, had Giddings’ DNA on it.
• A master key, found in McDaniel’s apartment, that opened the laundry room closet.
• A key to Giddings’ apartment, found in McDaniel’s apartment.
• Cadaver dogs that alerted in McDaniel’s bathroom and rear bedroom.
A judge found probable cause and denied bond.
Prior coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Report: Law Grad Charged in Classmate Murder May Have Fantasized About Avoiding Prison for Slayings”
ABAJournal.com: “Classmate Charged with Killing Mercer Law Grad Now Faces Child Porn Charges”
ABAJournal.com: “Slain Mercer Law Grad Was a Friend to Many, Including the Classmate Now Charged With Her Murder”
