Wednesday marks day 8 in the state’s trial against Edrick Faust, the man charged with brutally murdering University of Georgia law student Tara Baker 25 years ago.
Prosecution planned to start the day with testimony from a Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) agent who took over the cold case in 2024 and had prepared to play a recording of the GBI’s interview with Faust where they made reference to his DNA having been in the federal database.
Defense attorney Ahmad Crews argued that this would reveal to jurors that Faust had been previously arrested, making presentation of the recording prejudicial. The judge ultimately permitted the recording to be played but told the prosecution they must leave out reference to Faust's DNA being in a government-controlled database.
Agent Jeremy Howell was then called to the stand and prosecution played the recording of the GBI’s conversation with Faust, which took place in May 2024. Faust was told that his DNA was linked to the crime and questioned on why he thought that may be, to which he had no explanation.
Faust’s attorney argued against the wording of the questions and the fact that arrest warrants were obtained before the agents interviewed Faust.
Edrick Faust faces multiple charges in what was supposed to be a 7 day trial, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, aggravated sodomy, tampering with evidence, and arson. Witness testimonies from the side of the prosecution will continue through 5pm Wednesday and proceed Thursday morning.
