State rests case in Tara Baker murder trial after DNA testimony

Tara Baker trial focuses on GBI interview

Day 8 of the trial for Tara Baker's accused killed focused on Edrick Faust's interview with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in May 2024. The agent who interviewed Faust was called to the stand.  

ATHENS, Ga. - The trial over the murder of Tara Baker resumed Wednesday morning after testimony about DNA linking defendant Edrick Faust was given late Tuesday evening. 

The trial has long centered around that evidence, with the prosecution arguing it shows Faust's guilt. The defense argues chain of custody issues and that police didn't look hard enough at Baker's then-boyfriend, Chris Melton, despite the fact that he has never been charged with a crime in connection to the case. 

Edrick Faust GBI interview

What they're saying:

Wednesday began with the prosecution and defense arguing over what would be allowed with the first witness. The prosecution planned to call a GBI agent who took over the case in 2024, and interviewed Faust after they found his DNA in their investigation. As a part of that testimony, the prosecution wanted to play parts of the GBI's interview with Faust where they asked about him knowing his DNA was in the federal database. The defense said this would be prejudicial because it would show the jurors that Faust had previously been arrested. 

The judge allowed the recording to be played, but the prosecution couldn't reference that the DNA was in a government-controlled database. They were able to say it was in a national database though. 

Day 8 of Tara Baker trial: DNA evidence and investigator testimony

In the highly anticipated day 8 of the trial, we hear the critical testimony of a GBI investigator who took over the 2001 cold case in 2024 after modern DNA testing linked the defendant, Edrick Faust, to the crime. Courtroom discussion centers on a recorded interview where agents confronted Faust about his DNA being found on the victim's body. The defense casts doubt by highlighting the DNA of Baker's ex-boyfriend also found on her body in the original 2001 sexual assault kit.

The prosection called the agent up for his testimony and played the recording. In it, you can hear him and the agent from Tuesday conversing with Faust in May 2024. They asked him about his history and where he's leaving right before telling him about his DNA. The agent then asks him to explain why his DNA is there, but Faust cannot explain it. 

The defense questioned the agent about his wording of questions to Faust, including the fact that he said his DNA was in the house, but it was only located on Baker's body. Faust's attorney also asked about the fact that arrest warrants for Faust were obtained before the agents interviewed Faust and the day before they had taken new DNA swabs from Faust. 

DNA experts testify

What they're saying:

The other two witnesses called Wednesday were GBI DNA experts. The two women testified about the different types of DNA found on Baker's body. 

The two discussed how Faust's DNA was found on Baker's body and that it would be rare for anyone else's DNA to match that. 

On cross-examination, Faust's attorney questioned the DNA analyst about how long DNA lasts. He discussed how Melton's DNA was found in Baker's anus. The DNA expert said there is other ways for DNA to end up there other than anal sex, but it is usually gone after two days. 

Faust's arrest

The backstory:

Faust was arrested in 2024 after the re-testing of the DNA evidence. 

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.

Tara Baker Wednesday testimony

What's next:

The state rested its case after the DNA experts and the defense asked for a directive verdict on all but two of the charges. The judge denied that request. 

The trial was set to resume at noon on Thursday but the court later said that proceedings were canceled for the day.