Day four of the trial of Edrick Faust, accused in the 2001 killing of Tara Baker, continues decades old eyewitness accounts and repeated clashes between defense counsel and the judge as the state works to tie a cold case DNA match to events inside Baker’s off campus home.
Faust, an Athens man, is facing 12 felony counts in connection with Baker’s death, including murder and other charges tied to the alleged assault and arson.
On Thursday, Valerie Lane, Baker’s roommate, testified about her relationship with Baker and what she remembers around the time of the killing. Defense Attorney Ahmad Crews asked Lane if she was “nervous” and promised the witness “softball questions,” most of which referenced a recording of a conversation between her agent Elizabeth Bingham. In the recordings Lane described Baker’s relationship with her boyfriend, Chris, and said Baker had been spending noticeably less time with him at the time of her murder.
Crews has shared several fiery moments with Judge Lisa Lott, who is presiding over the case, and yesterday said that “This trial has been worse than practicing in Communist Russia,” after filing his second mistrial motion of the day.
Crews also said earlier in the morning the defense had been “handcuffed” while prosecutors were allowed “free reign.”
Court will proceed until 5pm on Thursday and will resume at 7am trial Friday morning.
