Judge Nixes $850K Bail Reduction for Law Grad Accused in Dismemberment Slaying of Mercer Classmate
Stephen McDaniel won’t be able to get out of jail prior to his trial in the slaying of his law school classmate Lauren Giddings unless his bail is substantially, his lawyer told a Georgia judge.
But Chief Judge S. Phillip Brown was not persuaded by attorney Franklin J. Hogue’s argument that the $850,000 bond set by Brown in April is excessive and unconstitutional and declined on Tuesday to reduce McDaniel’s bail, reports the Macon Telegraph.
The 26-year-old’s family can only afford to put up about $150,000, Hogue said.
As detailed in earlier ABAJournal.com posts, McDaniel, who was a neighbor and law school classmate of Giddings at Mercer University, is accused of murdering her last year not long after graduation. Her dismembered torso was found in a trash can at the apartment complex near campus where they both lived.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Slain Mercer Law Grad Was a Friend to Many, Including the Classmate Now Charged with Her Murder”
ABAJournal.com: “Mercer U Law Grad McDaniel Faces Death Penalty If Convicted in Slaying of Classmate Lauren Giddings”
