TARA BAKER: Georgia vs. Edrick Faust for cold-case 2001 murder of UGA law student *GUILTY* (1 Viewer)

Watch as this 19 year old case is experiencing a resurgence by 2 very determined men who
remember the murder & seeing her burned home near their apartment.


TARA LOUISE BAKER

Tara was murdered in a heinous fashion on January 19, 2001 one day shy of her 24th birthday. The epitome of overkill: Tara was beaten, stabbed, and strangled. A sexual assault was not ruled out. The killer even went so far as to set her apartment on fire. Her laptop was stolen.

According to the Augusta Chronicle: "Investigators identified at least three possible suspects after the murder, including a man Baker was dating, a fellow law school student, and an attorney at a local firm Baker worked for. Authorities will not say if the men still are under suspicion or if there are new suspects."




Georgia Bureau of Investigation:
January 19, 2001, around 11:20 a.m., the body of Tara Louise Baker was found by Athens-Clarke County firefighters responding to a fire at her apartment located at 160 Fawn Drive, Athens. Subsequent investigation has determined that the fire was intentionally set and the manner of death is homicide. Tara was a first-year law school student at the University of Georgia (UGA). Tara, 23, was last seen alive by a friend around 7:30 p.m. on January 18 at the UGA Law School Library. The same friend received a call at 9:46 p.m. from Tara, who was still at the library. Tara phoned to make sure her friend arrived home safely and said she planned to leave the library around 10 p.m. Tara was born on January 20, 1977 in East Point, Georgia. She graduated Love Joy High School in 1995 and enrolled at Georgia College in Milledgeville. She graduated Cum Laude in 1998 with two bachelor's degrees. Classmates remember Tara as a caring person who would often champion the cause of the underdog and never allowed serious students to be excluded from study groups or class projects. Anyone who may have information about Tara's death should contact: The Athens-Clarke County Police Department at 706-613-3337 or the GBI's Athens Regional Office at 706-542-7901.

Unsolved Homicide: Tara Louise Baker

On January 19, 2001, around 11:20 a.m., the body of Tara Louise Baker was found by Athens-Clarke County firefighters responding to a fire at her apartment located at 160 Fawn Drive, Athens. Subsequent investigation has determined that the fire was intentionally set and the manner of death is...

gbi.georgia.gov

 

[GrandmaBear]

Agree totally!! No sane judge had better consider this. He will be gone, I'd count on it. He should not be in society even WITH an ankle monitor. What's to stop him taking someone hostage, how does an ankle monitor stop that? Or killing someone, does an ankle monitor stop that? NO it doesn't.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Bond denied again for suspect in 2001 slaying of UGA Law student Tara Baker

For the second time since his arrest this year, the suspect in the slaying of UGA Law student Tara Baker was denied bond.

www.onlineathens.com

Bond denied again for suspect in 2001 slaying of UGA Law student Tara Baker​

Bond was denied for the second time in less than four months for the suspect charged with slaying a University of Georgia law school student 23 years ago in Athens.

Western Circuit Superior Court Judge Lisa Lott heard arguments Wednesday from Atlanta attorney Ahmad R. Crews on behalf of his client, Edrick Lamont Faust, by asking for a reasonable bond for Faust’s release from jail.

Faust, expected to go on trial sometime in 2025, is charged with numerous crimes including murder, rape, aggravated sodomy and arson. Baker was strangled, stabbed and beaten in her residence on Fawn Drive in east Athens, according to court documents.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Suspect in 2001 slaying of UGA law student Tara Baker returns to court, trial date discussed

Murder and rape suspect Edrick Faust was back in court for another pretrial hearing on charges he killed Tara Baker in 2001.

www.onlineathens.com

Suspect in 2001 slaying of UGA law student Tara Baker returns to court, trial date discussed​

The Athens man accused of killing University of Georgia law school student Tara Baker in 2001 was back in court Wednesday, when his lawyer reiterated his workload of examining a “voluminous” amount of evidence.

The vast amount of evidence to review was a reason, the Atlanta lawyer explained, that he could not project a time he would be prepared for trial.

Defense attorney Ahmad R. Crews also suggested that he would bring the "mountain of discovery" documents to court so Clarke County Superior Court Judge Lisa Lott could personally view what the prosecution has provided for him to examine.

Crews offer was made after Lott told Crews and Western Circuit Chief Assistant District Attorney Lisa Pappas that it was her intentions to bring 49-year-old Edrick Lamont Faust before a jury trial later this year.

Pappas suggested the prosecution would be ready in late summer.


Among the motions filed recently by the defense was one aimed at getting more detailed information on the DNA testing done at the State Crime Lab. Crews said the GBI has not responded to his latest subpoenas, but Pappas told the judge she didn’t see a problem with the defense getting those results, some of which the state is also awaiting.

The DNA testing was crucial in solving the cold case. Faust faces a nine-court indictment with charges including murder, rape, sodomy and arson.

Lott set at date of April 2 for another hearing at which time she expects a trial date can again be discussed.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Judge urges lawyers to keep Tara Baker murder case on track for October trial

A defense lawyer for the man accused of killing Tara Baker in 2001 says the amount of evidence to study may preclude an October trial.

www.onlineathens.com

Judge urges lawyers to keep Tara Baker murder case on track for October trial​

The 49-year-old man accused of committing a crime in 2001 that alarmed residents of Athens made his way in shackles to the defense table of a courtroom Wednesday where once again a lawyer made it known he has mounds of evidence to examine before his client is ready for trial.


Western Circuit Superior Court Judge Lisa Lott made it known to defense attorney Ahmad R. Crews and District Attorney Kalki Yalamanchili that she plans to try the case in October.

While Yalamanchili appeared comfortable with that date, Crews voiced an objection. Crews said he is still receiving new evidence to examine in response to his discovery motion.

“We are nowhere (near) ready for trial,” said the Atlanta lawyer, who noted that his office has already spent 2,200 hours going through case documents.

Lott said she would set another hearing in early September to hear motions and once again determine if the lawyers are on track for an October trial before a jury.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Judge sets trial date for accused murderer of UGA law school student

By Joe Johnson A trial date has been scheduled for the accused killer of University of Georgia law student Tara Baker.Edrick Faust is charged with murdering the 23-year-old student after breaking into her Athens apartment in 2001.He was arrested in May of last year and subsequently indicted for...

www.classiccitynews.com

Judge sets trial date for accused murderer of UGA law school student​

A trial date has been scheduled for the accused killer of University of Georgia law student Tara Baker.

Western Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Lisa Lott has scheduled his trial to begin on October 20th at the courthouse in downtown Athens.

Faust pleaded not guilty to all charge in the indictment.

 

[Tresir]

I was trying to find out more of what this guy has been doing for the last 20 odd years and Nancy Grace covers it in this video.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I was trying to find out more of what this guy has been doing for the last 20 odd years and Nancy Grace covers it in this video.

OMG less than five minutes--and she sure says it. They both do. THIS GUY should never have been on the street or free. Like her or not (I have my moments), she is so right in this one. 20 years of major crimes I think they said.

Sometimes I feel like no one gets, JUDGES have blood on their hands, many a place does because someone else dies because of their decision and so on. Well as she also says, leis t the guy live with and next door to you then or near your kid.

I suspect this is part of a longer show, cut off a bit abruptly. I almost didn't watch it but just saying, worth it.

They can't keep this soft on CRIME THING up. It also goes on in more than our country.

One thing about Nancy, she will SAY SUCH. People should watch, barely five minutes of their life.

 

[Tresir]

Here's a screenshot from the video of his rapsheet for the last 20 years.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Here's a screenshot from the video of his rapsheet for the last 20 years.

View attachment 24896

Yes. Ignore any typos if I make them. Haven't been doing a lot of links these days but I did this one, also did her one on Scott Peterson that I linked.

This man should have NEVER been free. And I'll give her this, she is not SCARED to say IT.

 

[Tresir]

Trial date set for Oct 20th. This article gives more detail about priors and when he was incarcerated.

Trial date set for suspect in murder of UGA law student Tara Baker

In 2021, UGA law student Tara Baker's body was found in a burning apartment in Athens. Now, more than 24 years later, the man accused of sexually assaulting and killing her will go to trial.

www.fox5atlanta.com

"According to the arrest warrants, Baker was killed between 9:45 p.m. on January 18, 2001, and 11:30 a.m. on January 19, 2001. Faust allegedly used "an instrument, when used offensively against a person, [that] results in strangulation," and is accused of stabbing Baker in the neck with a knife with a blade longer than three inches and striking her head with a blunt object.
Additionally, the warrants say that Faust sexually assaulted Baker during the attack, hid her body, and tried to destroy evidence by setting her apartment on fire.
Faust was arrested and charged in the case after police said that biological evidence and DNA science helped them connect him with Baker's death.
Dig deeper:
Faust has dozens of arrests documented in Athens-Clarke County. According to court records, less than a month after Baker was killed, Faust was arrested and pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for cutting someone's neck.
According to records obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta from the Georgia Department of Corrections, Faust was incarcerated between Aug. 21, 1997, and July 20, 1999, as well as between May 1, 2001, and May 28, 2003."

More at link.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Oh wow must have been some great DAs and judges with this guy (NOT) or he knew someone.

I can''t even go there right now but when I saw them show his record and such WHAT THE HECK was he even doing free??????????????

It is asinine. People are busy living their own lives and dealing but imo they need to start caring about this sh*t. It just continues on a big downhill slide.

 

[Tresir]

Oh wow must have been some great DAs and judges with this guy (NOT) or he knew someone.

I can''t even go there right now but when I saw them show his record and such WHAT THE HECK was he even doing free??????????????

It is asinine. People are busy living their own lives and dealing but imo they need to start caring about this sh*t. It just continues on a big downhill slide.

I guess at the time, he was probably on bail for the crime he was convicted of 3 months later. Its unbelievable isn't it?

 

[GrandmaBear]

Yah. Right now I'm just trying to push through but exactly. It is unbelievable, and it goes on ALL OF THE TIME.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Trial delayed in 2001 murder of UGA law student Tara Baker

Edric Faust was arrested in May 2023 after DNA and forensic evidence linked him to the 2001 case.

www.wsbradio.com

Trial delayed in 2001 murder of UGA law student Tara Baker​

The trial for the man accused of killing University of Georgia law student Tara Baker more than two decades ago has been postponed until early next year.

His defense team told the judge they need additional time to review files and evidence. The trial is now scheduled to begin in late January.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Edrick Faust awaits trial decades after murder of UGA law student Tara Baker

Nearly 25 years after the murder of University of Georgia law student Tara Baker, her accused killer, Edrick Faust, has yet to face trial. Faust’s trial, originally set to begin

www.redandblack.com

Edrick Faust awaits trial decades after murder of UGA law student Tara Baker​

Nearly 25 years after the murder of University of Georgia law student Tara Baker, her accused killer, Edrick Faust, has yet to face trial. Faust’s trial, originally set to begin on Oct. 20, was recently rescheduled for January 2026, marking the latest development in a decades-long case.


Pretrial motions are expected to be filed with the court by November.

Faust remains incarcerated without bond at the Athens Clarke-County Jail, with his trial set to begin a week after the 25-year anniversary of Baker’s death.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Search warrants unsealed as Tara Baker murder trial nears

By Joe Johnson A Superior Court judge last month ordered the unsealing of search warrants in the Tara Baker murder case as the trial date nears for her accused killer.The 23-year-old University of Georgia law student was murdered in her east Athens apartment in January 2001 and the crime went...

www.classiccitynews.com

Search warrants unsealed as Tara Baker murder trial nears​

A Superior Court judge last month ordered the unsealing of search warrants in the Tara Baker murder case as the trial date nears for her accused killer.


Faust has pleaded not guilty to all charges and his trial is scheduled to begin on January 26th.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Ahead of trial, court filings reveal never-disclosed details in killing of UGA law student from 25 years ago

The trial for Edrick Faust, who was charged in 2024 is set to begin on Feb. 2.

www.11alive.com

Ahead of trial, court filings reveal never-disclosed details in killing of UGA law student from 25 years ago​

A new court filing is revealing disturbing details about the final moments of a University of Georgia law student whose killing went unsolved for more than two decades, as the long-awaited murder trial now appears set for Feb. 2.


Until now, authorities had not publicly disclosed what evidence led to Faust’s arrest.

In a motion filed by the defense seeking to exclude certain evidence from trial, Faust’s attorneys described the killing in stark and graphic terms that were never believed to have been made public.

According to the filing, the defense characterizes the killer as “extremely enraged” and asserts that the person responsible was not Faust.

The motion describes Baker being beaten until her eyes were blackened and her face swollen. It alleges she was strangled with a printer cord, stabbed in the neck with a butcher knife and sexually assaulted.

The document further claims that while Baker was still alive, the attacker set a blanket on fire on the stove, placed it on her bed and locked her inside the room.

The filing states the suspect then wiped down the home, removed a laptop and documents from a filing cabinet and took “extraordinary efforts to conceal the crime.”

The defense refers to the killing as prolonged, brutal and driven by rage, but argues the circumstances do not match Faust and that he never harmed Baker “in any way at any time.”

The motion also asks the court to exclude any mention of a separate 2001 stabbing allegedly involving Faust.

That incident happened just weeks after Baker was killed, which ended with a man stabbed in the neck, followed a confrontation that lasted roughly two weeks.

The defense argues the stabbing was the result of a personal dispute between acquaintances and not a random act of violence, calling it fundamentally different from Baker’s killing.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Defense fails in bid to have judge removed from Tara Baker murder trial

By Joe Johnson A defense motion to remove the judge presiding over the trial of the man accused of killing University of Georgia law student Tara Baker was denied Wednesday during a hearing in Superior Court.The motion had been filed by the attorney representing Edrick Faust, who is charged with...

www.classiccitynews.com

Defense fails in bid to have judge removed from Tara Baker murder trial​

A defense motion to remove the judge presiding over the trial of the man accused of killing University of Georgia law student Tara Baker was denied Wednesday during a hearing in Superior Court.

The motion had been filed by the attorney representing Edrick Faust, who is charged with murdering the 23-year-old student in January 2001 during a burglary of Baker’s apartment.

In addition to murder, Faust is charged in a 12-count indictment with aggravated assault, rape, and arson for setting Baker’s apartment on fire.

His attorney sought to have Western Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Lisa Lott removed from the case, which is scheduled to begin trial on Monday.

Tara Baker murder: Original judge will remain on case, trial starts Feb. 2

Accusations of judicial bias could delay the long-awaited trial of Edrick Lamont Faust, who was arrested 23 years after the brutal 2001 murder UGA law student Tara Baker.

www.fox5atlanta.com

Tara Baker murder: Original judge will remain on case, trial starts Feb. 2​

The judge overseeing the case against the man accused of killing University of Georgia law student Tara Baker decades ago will remain on the case.

Defense attorneys for Edrick Faust argued that Lisa Lott, a judge in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court, showed bias against their client and asked that she be removed. A hearing was held on the motion on Wednesday morning, and a second judge ruled that Lott will continue to preside over the case.

The case is currently scheduled to go to trial on Feb. 2. Prosecutors allege Faust beat, stabbed and sexually assaulted Baker in 2001 before wiping down her Athens home and setting it on fire. Investigators say advances in forensic technology later allowed the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to identify Faust as a suspect more than two decades after the killing.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Article says info never released by LE/the P before against Faust. Nothing really in it though about the P doing that, it is defense claiming things.

It is ridiculous to say his other stabbing doesn't relate and I HOPE a judge lets it in. He isn't enraged or passionate but in a personal dispute he was? It also was around the same time period.

Even the article alludes to now they can say what evidence they have against Faust, it has no such information in it.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

UGA cold case murder: Jury selection underway in Tara Baker murder trial

Jury selection is underway in Athens in the Tara Baker murder trial.

www.fox5atlanta.com

UGA cold case murder: Jury selection underway in Tara Baker murder trial​

Jury selection is underway in Athens in the Tara Baker murder trial.

The trial is expected to begin next Monday.

Tara Baker murder trial: Jury selection begins for man charged in UGA law student’s death

Tara Baker’s family never gave up their search for justice.

www.wsbtv.com

Tara Baker murder trial: Jury selection begins for man charged in UGA law student’s death​

The trial is now underway for a man charged in a University of Georgia law student’s murder from 25 years ago.

Tara Louise Baker, 23, was found dead after a fire at her apartment in 2001. Investigators determined that the fire was set intentionally.

The case went cold before the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Edrick Faust in May 2024. The GBI said DNA evidence led to his arrest.

Jury selection began on Tuesday for Faust’s trial after it was delayed for the winter storm that hit Clarke County.

The judge gave instructions to the prospective jurors and advised them not to research Baker’s cold case or Faust to avoid bias.