Tara Baker murder trial focuses on then-boyfriend's alibi for second day

Detectives testify about finding Tara Baker

Testimony began on Tuesday with the Athens-Clarke County Police detective who originally responded to the crime scene after 23-year-old law student Tara Baker was murdered. 

ATHENS, Ga. - Tuesday marks day seven of testimony in the murder trial of Tara Baker, and the prosecution is expected to continue presenting its case against Edrick Faust. Faust is charged with malice murder and other counts in connection with Baker’s 2001 killing. Her body was discovered inside her burning Athens apartment one day before her 24th birthday.

Police detective testimony

What they're saying:

Testimony began on Tuesday with the Athens-Clarke County Police detective who originally responded to the crime scene. Prosecutors called him to discuss how he began putting together a timeline surrounding Baker's death. That included asking Baker's then-boyfriend about his alibi. 

Melton is the man the defense has identified as another possible suspect. He took the stand Monday and testified as a witness for the prosecution.

The prosecution asked the detective about getting the statement. They had him run through the entire day of Baker's death and where Melton said he was. There was a long period of argument over whether this could be introduced or if it was hearsay. The judge ultimately allowed the testimony, citing that the defense was able to question Melton on Monday. 

On cross-examination, the defense questioned the detective about how he could recall minor details from so long ago. At one point, Ahmad Crews, Faust's defense attorney, asked if he could recall who was in the World Series in 2001 and who his favorite artist was then. The detective said no, so Crews pushed him for the small details of the case. The judge didn't allow that line of questioning, calling it argumentative. 

GBI agent on DNA results 

What they're saying:

The only other witness called on Tuesday was the Georgia Burea of Investigation Agent who processed the DNA from Baker's sexual assault kit in 2024. Agent Elizabeth Bigham testified about how the case was reopened usings funds from the Coleman-Baker Act. Despite a defense motion for a mistrial regarding the introduction of new evidence, the judge allowed the testimony to proceed.

Bigham detailed the massive scope of the cold case, which included a 20,000-page file and over 100 interviews. Most notably, she testified that DNA from both Faust and Melton matched samples from the victim’s original sexual assault kit. This breakthrough led to Melton being re-interviewed in May 2024 and Faust’s arrest just four days later.

During a pointed cross-examination, the defense highlighted that Bigham had been present in court for the entire trial, observing every witness and statement.

The defense also challenged Melton’s credibility, noting he changed his timeline of when he last saw the victim only after DNA evidence surfaced. While the defense argued that Melton had been lying for 23 years, Bigham refused to agree with that characterization. She maintained that Faust was the primary target of the arrest because Melton possessed an alibi that made it "impossible" for him to have committed the murder.

Previous trial information

The backstory:

 Testimony last week focused heavily on hair follicles, which prosecutors say are central to the DNA evidence tying Faust to the crime. However, the defense has argued there were significant chain-of-custody issues and that police failed to thoroughly investigate other potential suspects.