McDaniel attorney now considering whether to seek bond

As of Tuesday afternoon, Stephen McDaniel’s attorney had not determined whether he will continue to seek bond for McDaniel.

The Bibb County grand jury indicted 26-year-old McDaniel Tuesday on one count of murder in the June killing of his Mercer University law school classmate and next-door neighbor, Lauren Giddings.

The grand jury also indicted McDaniel on 30 counts of sexual exploitation of children.

McDaniel has been in jail since July 1, the day after Giddings’ dismembered torso was found in a roll-away trash can beside the downtown Macon apartment building where they lived.

Attorney Floyd Buford filed a motion last week asking that a judge reconsider bond for McDaniel.

Buford said Tuesday, however, that he planned to talk with McDaniel and his family about the bond motion Tuesday.

“It’s something we’re going to think about and talk about,” he said.

If Buford continues to seek bond, a hearing is tentatively scheduled for Thursday.

Buford last spoke with McDaniel Monday night during a meeting that lasted between an hour and an hour and a half.

“We had a very good conversation,” he said. “He’s in good spirits.”

McDaniel insists he is innocent, Buford said.

“He wants a trial,” he said.

Giddings, 27, who grew up in Laurel, Md., and attended college in Georgia for much of the past decade, was last seen June 25. Macon police investigating her disappearance discovered her remains outside the Barristers Hall apartment complex at 1058 Georgia Ave. on the morning of June 30.

McDaniel was charged with murder about a month later, on Aug. 2, and was denied bond at a show-cause hearing Aug. 26.

Giddings’ sister, Kaitlyn Wheeler said, “Obviously we are hoping for any justice, but we’re never going to get what we want out of this -- Lauren back and our lives back on track.”

This story was originally published November 15, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "McDaniel attorney now considering whether to seek bond."