The prosecutors retrieve evidence damaged while in the jury box to be repaired by witness, Anne Kisler-Rao a microanalyst at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, during the Tara Baker murder trial at the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse in Athens, Georgia, on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. In January 2001, Tara Baker, a 23-year-old UGA law student, was killed in her apartment in Athens. Edrick Faust faces 12 felony counts in connection with her death. (Photo/Ashtin Barker) The Red & Black is a 501c3 nonprofit. Please consider a one-time gift or become a monthly supporter. Cancel anytime. The fourth day of the Tara Baker trial began with the continued questioning of Baker’s roommate, Ashley Hall. The defense presented statements made by Hall from the time of Baker’s death that alleged Chris Melton scheduled multiple dinner dates with Baker’s friends in the weeks following her death. On one of these dates, Hall witnessed Melton flirtatiously rub one of Baker’s friends’ back. Hall dismissed this claim today, saying that Melton had a very flirtatious personality. The prosecution then called upon Valery Lowe, another of Baker’s roommates. Lowe, who typically cleaned their shared apartment, was
