Tara Baker friend, expert witnesses take stand in murder trial

Testimony continues in day 2 of Tara Baker murder trial

Witnesses took the stand Tuesday in the second day of the trial for Edrick Faust, accused of the 2001 murder of UGA law student Tara Baker. Prosecutors introduced dozens of autopsy exhibits, including DNA evidence that investigators say links Faust to the crime after 23 years. The defense continues to challenge the integrity of the decades-old evidence, arguing the investigation is flawed. Follow FOX 5 for live updates from the Athens-Clarke County courtroom as testimony from former classmates and experts continues.

ATHENS, Ga. - Day two of the Edrick Faust murder trial featured multiple expert witnesses who investigated the crime, as well as the last person to hear from Baker.

Tara Baker murder

The backstory:

The trial follows the January 2001 discovery of Baker's body inside her burned Athens-area apartment. Investigators previously determined that the fire had been intentionally set and ruled her death a homicide. Despite the decades-long investigation, it would take until 2024 to arrest Faust, who is now facing trial for the crime.

Prosecution witnesses

What they're saying:

The trial got underway Tuesday with testimony from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation medical examiner who conducted Tara Baker’s autopsy.

Athens-Clarke County jurors were shown graphic photos of Baker’s injuries, which included blunt force trauma to the head and neck, along with a stab wound. The medical examiner also noted bruising on the victim's private areas and testified that some wounds appeared to be defensive. He ultimately determined the cause of death was strangulation.

The defense attempted to object to the admission of DNA swabs from the autopsy due to labeling concerns, but Superior Court Judge Lisa Lott rejected the request. When questioned by the prosecution, the medical examiner stated that the labeling did not affect the integrity of how the DNA evidence was processed.

Following the medical examiner, an Athens-Clarke County police investigator walked jurors through the evidence gathered at the scene. He presented a diagram of the apartment and photos showing a damaged door and the interior of the room where Baker was killed. The investigator noted that a knife was found directly next to Baker’s body and a printer was discovered a short distance away with its cable running toward her.

Tara Baker's friend gets emotional

What they're saying:

The most emotional testimony of the day came from Katherine Lahnstein, a friend and fellow law student who was likely the last person to see Baker alive. Lahnstein recalled seeing Baker at the library around 7:30 p.m. and described her as a dedicated student who often stayed late to study. She detailed receiving a final phone call from Baker that night and recounted the moment she learned of her friend's death.

Murder trial tensions

Dig deeper:

Tensions remained high in the courtroom as another exchange occurred between the judge and defense attorney Ahmad R. Crews regarding professional courtesies. This follows Monday’s proceedings, where Crews was held in contempt of court and fined $1,000 for referencing restricted evidence during his opening statement.

RELATED: Tara Baker's murder trial: Opening statements given in trial of Edrick Faust

Tara Baker murder trial

What's next:

Testimony resumes Wednesday morning in the trial. Testimony is expected to run through the remainder of the week.

The prosecution is heavily relying on DNA evidence that reignited the case in 2023. The defense is arguing that police didn't investigate thoroughly and is pointing the fingers at another man. 

Editor's note: FOX 5 is not naming the man that the defense is accusing of the crime since he has not been charged.