Trial Set for Lilburn Man in Death of Mercer Law Student

A trial date has been set for a Lilburn man accused in the killing and dismemberment of a Mercer University Law student in 2011, according to media reports. 

Stephen McDaniel's trial is set for Sept. 9, according to reports. It was the earliest date that could be agreed upon, according to The Telegraph.

McDaniel was Giddings' next-door neighbor at the time. Police later found her torso wrapped in plastic in a garbage bin next to the their Macon apartment building.

He was formally charged in Lauren Giddings' death in August of 2011.

Lilburn residents interviewed at the time said they remembered the Parkview High School graduate as “quiet,” “kind of socially awkward” and “weird."

Nick Porter, a Parkview graduate who had Latin class with McDaniel, recalled him as being a "freak with crazy eyes" in high school.

"If he got mad at you, he would hiss at you," said Porter. "I even tried talking to him, and it would be OK for a few minutes, but then it would just get weird."

According to the The Telegraph, District Attorney David Cooke is not seeking the death penalty in the case.

See also:

• Murder Suspect McDaniel to Contest Grand Jury Makeup
• New Charges for Lilburn Man Accused in Macon Murder
• Murder Charge Draws Local Reaction
• Updated: Lilburn Native Charged in Macon Murder

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