Lauren Giddings’ sister ‘not surprised’ Lauren’s killer filed petition

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Lauren Giddings’ sister, Kaitlyn Wheeler, told 41NBC she’s ‘not surprised’ Stephen McDaniel filed a petition for a new trial.

41NBC reached out to Wheeler, who lives in Maryland, Thursday morning for a response to McDaniel’s petition. Wheeler says they have no comment at the moment, but the family is not surprised that McDaniel would try to get a new trial.

McDaniel filed a Habeas Corpus petition in Richmond County on Tuesday. He claims he deserves a new and fair trial for four different reasons.

McDaniel pleaded guilty in April 2014 to strangling and killing Giddings in June of 2011. Part of his plea deal included a written confession from him on how he committed the crime.

Giddings was 27-years-old and a recent Mercer Law School graduate before her life was taken. McDaniel was also a recent Mercer Law graduate and Giddings’ neighbor at Barrister’s Hall.

McDaniel is serving life in prison at Augusta State Medical Prison.