Compos Mentis: The Murder of Lauren Giddings

Our neighbors. We see them every day, usually just for a few moments—long enough to say hi as we head inside with our groceries, or out to walk the dog. For those of us who live in apartments, we’re sometimes uncomfortably close to each other’s lives: sharing cooking smells, overhearing intimate moments, getting annoyed by small inconveniences. Such close proximity, for total strangers. And as much as we may come to know about the small details of our neighbors’ lives—which night of the week they make curry, which day they wash their clothes—we have no way of knowing what’s going on behind closed doors. Or behind their eyes. Usually it’s nothing to worry about. But sometimes…<br /><br />Sources:<br /><a href="https://abovethelaw.com/2011/08/the-collected-writings-of-stephen-mcdaniel/" rel="noopener">https://abovethelaw.com/2011/08/the-collected-writings-of-stephen-mcdaniel/</a><br /><a href="https://www.macon.com/news/special-reports/lauren-giddings-murder/article28616875.html" rel="noopener">https://www.macon.com/news/special-reports/lauren-giddings-murder/article28616875.html</a><br /><a href="https://abovethelaw.com/2011/08/the-plot-thickens-say-hello-to-hacksaw-mcdaniel/?rf=1" rel="noopener">https://abovethelaw.com/2011/08/the-plot-thickens-say-hello-to-hacksaw-mcdaniel/?rf=1</a><br /><a href="https://abovethelaw.com/2014/04/you-are-the-devil-law-grad-pleads-guilty-to-dismembering-classmate/?rf=1" rel="noopener">https://abovethelaw.com/2014/04/you-are-the-devil-law-grad-pleads-guilty-to-dismembering-classmate/?rf=1</a><br /><a href="https://www.wvgazettemail.com/ga-police-seek-remains-of-dismembered-law-grad/article_5a7a38c9-d8b5-59aa-ab38-ee9ac93758bc.html" rel="noopener">https://www.wvgazettemail.com/ga-police-seek-remains-of-dismembered-law-grad/article_5a7a38c9-d8b5-59aa-ab38-ee9ac93758bc.html</a><br /><a href="https://www.macon.com/news/special-reports/lauren-giddings-murder/article28616902.html" rel="noopener">https://www.macon.com/news/special-reports/lauren-giddings-murder/article28616902.html</a><br