ATHENS, Ga. — The best friend of Tara Baker gave emotional testimony in court Tuesday in the trial of the man accused of killing the University of Georgia law student 25 years ago.
Katherine Lahnstein told the jury how she reacted after learning of Baker’s death, Channel 2’s Tom Jones learned.
More problems between the judge and the defense in the courtroom LIVE on Channel 2 Action News at 4:00 p.m.
“I fell down and then I started crying, and I don’t know when I stopped,” she said.
Lahnstein and Baker studied the night before. She was supposed to call Baker once she made it home but forgot, so Baker called her.
“I think the last thing she ever said to me was that,” Lahnstein said. “I said, ‘Hello,’ and she said, ‘You did not call me.’”
Prosecutors say that was the last thing she said, because Edrick Faust murdered, raped and set Baker’s home on fire.
It was a cold case until two Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents took another look at the case recently. Prosecutors say new technology helped them find Faust’s DNA.
Faust’s attorney says it doesn’t mean he killed her.
“This guy is innocent,” said defense attorney Ahmad Cruz. “The evidence will show he is clearly innocent.”
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