Man convicted of murdering Mercer Law student wants new trial

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MACON, Ga. - The man convicted of killing a Mercer Law student in 2011 is asking the judge for a new trial.

Stephen McDaniel was back in a superior court in Macon on Friday.

Prosecutors said McDaniel admitted to breaking into Laura Giddings apartment, attacking her, and then dismembering her with a hacksaw. Authorities found her body parts in a nearby dumpster. He pleaded guilty to malice murder had been serving a life sentence without parole.

In February, McDaniel filed a Writ of Habeas Corpus. That means he wanted a judge to decide if he's being held lawfully or not.

In the motion, he claimed he was in a catatonic state, the judge was prejudiced against him, and he had ineffective legal assistance.