UGA murder case: Edrick Faust denied bail for 2001 law student murder

ATHENS, Georgia. – The man accused of killing UGA law student Tara Baker more than two decades ago appeared before an Athens-Clarke County judge on Tuesday.

Edrick Faust, 48, applied for bail so he could be released before trial, but not everyone thought that was a good idea, including the sister of the woman he allegedly killed.

“January 19, 2001 was beyond imagination the darkest day of our lives,” said Meredith Baker Schroeder, Tara’s sister.

Tara Baker and Edrick Faust (Included in delivery)

More than two decades after Tara's brutal murder, in which prosecutors say she was anally abused, strangled and stabbed, that day still haunts her sister, she says.

“We have waited 23 years for an arrest and an indictment, and in the course of these 12 charges, we have learned how horrific and harrowing Tara's final moments were,” Schroeder said.

Firefighters found Baker's body in her burned-out Athens apartment in 2001. The GBI says new technology helped finally link Faust to her murder.

He was arraigned on Tuesday to face charges including murder, arson and covering up a death. He pleaded not guilty.

Faust's lawyer then requested bail.

“We ask the court to set bail at $100,000 based on his presumption of innocence and to require property as collateral,” said Ahmad Crewsm Faust, attorney.

Faust's fiancée testified about his character and offered to put up property as collateral to get him out.

“For as long as I’ve known him, he’s avoided conflict with people and likes to go out,” said his fiancée Linda Thornton.

However, prosecutors told the court that this was not the case.

“He has committed violent crimes and violated probation on over 20 occasions. This means he has repeatedly violated the most basic conditions of release from probation,” said District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez.

Ultimately, the judge agreed.

“I will refuse bail,” she said.