Verdict Reached in Tara Baker Cold-Case Murder Trial
Following a lengthy 12-hour deliberation, a jury has rendered its decision in the long-standing murder case of University of Georgia law student Tara Baker. Edrick Faust has been convicted on multiple charges, including malice murder, felony murder, rape, arson, and tampering with evidence, related to Baker’s death.
The case dates back to January 2001 when Baker was discovered deceased in her East Athens residence, which had been set ablaze. Prosecutors claimed that Faust, who had a prior criminal record, committed rape and murder before attempting to destroy evidence by igniting a fire in her apartment.
For years, the case remained unresolved until a breakthrough in 2023 when Georgia established a specialized cold case unit within the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), focusing on advancements in DNA technology. This development led to Faust’s arrest in May 2024.
During the deliberations on Monday, jurors revisited crucial testimony from GBI investigator William Ricketts and examined the DNA analysis that played a pivotal role in the case. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for 3 pm on Thursday.
