Jury set to begin deliberations in Tara Baker's murder trial
Closing arguments in Tara Baker murder trial
The murder trial of Edrick Faust concluded Friday following 10 days of testimony regarding the 2001 killing of UGA student Tara Baker.
ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, Ga. - After a 10-day trial, the 2001 cold-case murder of University of Georgia law student Tara Baker is now in the hands of an Athens-Clarke County jury.
What we know:
Both the prosecution and defense concluded their closing statements late Friday afternoon. Edrick Faust faces 12 charges, including malice murder, felony murder, rape, aggravated sodomy, and arson.
Prosecution relies on DNA
What they're saying:
The state’s closing arguments centered on the finality of the evidence and long-awaited closure for the Baker family. Prosecutors argued that after a quarter-century of waiting, the jury now has the responsibility to hold Faust accountable. They highlighted that advancements in forensic science provided the definitive link investigators had sought since 2001. The state emphasized that DNA evidence collected during the initial investigation finally identified Faust, a man who lived in the same neighborhood but evaded capture for decades.
Defense's alternative theory
The other side:
The defense focused on what it described as a lack of physical evidence linking Faust to the crime scene, raising doubts about the integrity of the decades-old investigation. Defense attorneys pointed out there were no fingerprints, footprints, or eyewitnesses placing Faust inside the apartment on the night of the incident.
Counsel for the defense also questioned the reliability of the DNA samples, suggesting they had been compromised over more than 20 years in storage. Furthermore, the defense maintained the evidence pointed more strongly toward someone who knew the victim, specifically referencing her boyfriend at the time, Chris Melton, whose biological evidence was found at the scene.
Edrick Faust's arrest
The backstory:
Faust was charged with the murder in 2024 after new DNA testing linked him to the case. Officials said the only other male DNA found belonged to Melton. During the trial, Melton testified about his alibi and provided witnesses to support his claims. Investigators testified they believe Melton's alibi proved he did not commit the murder. Melton has never been charged with a crime related to the case.
Tara Baker murder trial jury deliberations
What's next:
The jury went home a little after 7 p.m. Friday and is expected to return on Monday.