The man accused of sexually assaulting and murdering a Georgia law student, then setting her apartment on fire over twenty years ago, will stay in jail during his case, according to Fox 5.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Athens police recently revealed progress in the case of 23-year-old Tara Louise Baker, who was found dead on January 21, 2001.
Authorities claim that Edrick Lamont Faust, now 48, is responsible for the death of Baker, a former University of Georgia School of Law student.
Faust faces charges including murder, two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, concealing the death of another, possessing a knife during a felony, tampering with evidence, and aggravated sodomy.
Police believe Baker died between 9:45 p.m. on January 18 and 11:30 a.m. on January 19.
Investigators said they started to focus on Faust after a thorough review starting in September. He wasn't considered a suspect until just nine days before his arrest, the Athens Banner-Herald reports.
Faust was taken to the Athens-Clarke County Jail and has been denied bond, requiring him to stay in jail throughout the prosecution, according to Fox 5.
“Tara Louise Baker was a hardworking student with a bright future ahead of her,” said Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey in a written statement, according to Fox News.
“Tara’s life was stolen from her in a horrific act of violence. While this arrest does not bring her back to us, I pray that it helps bring closure to the Baker family as they continue their healing journey.”
Baker would have turned 24 years old the day after her body was found. She had graduated with honors in 1998 from Georgia College.
[Feature Photo: Tara Louise Baker/Georgia Bureau of Investigation]