Man denied bail in 2001 murder of UGA law student after character witnesses testify – WSB-TV Channel 2

ATHENS, Georgia – A judge on Tuesday denied bail to a defendant accused of murdering a University of Georgia law student 23 years ago.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Edrick Faust in May for the 2001 murder of Tara Baker. Police found Baker dead after a fire in her apartment. Investigators concluded the fire was intentionally set.

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On Tuesday, Faust pleaded not guilty to Baker's murder. His attorney argued that Faust should have been granted a maximum bail of $100,000.

“Too high a bail is the same as no bail,” said attorney Ahmad R. Crews. Faust's fiancée took the stand to defend his character.

“From what I know of him, he avoids conflict with people and likes to go away,” she said. “He is kind, considerate, loyal, reliable, polite to others and trustworthy.”

The public prosecutor painted a different picture and referred to Faust's decades-long criminal past

“Your Honor, this defendant has a 49-cycle criminal record. He has committed violent offenses and violated probation over 20 times, meaning he has repeatedly violated the most basic conditions of probation, which is to not commit another crime,” said District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez.

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Baker's sister also testified.

“The defendant is no stranger to this courthouse or the surrounding area. For 30 years, he has wreaked havoc in this community. Just months after Tara's death, he stabbed a man in the neck,” said Meredith Baker Schroeder.

Judge Lisa Lott denied bail, citing the defendant's danger to the community and his criminal past.

“This defendant poses a significant risk of committing a crime before trial,” the judge told the court.

The state has 30 days to present a witness list to the defense. A trial date has not yet been set.

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