GA GA - Tara Baker, 23, Athens, 19 Jan 2001 *Arrest*

[concernedcitizen706]

Here is another older article, from 2005, talking about the lawsuit between the police and the local paper over the closed records in Tara Bakers case.

Banner- Herald sues police

The Athens Banner-Herald has filed a lawsuit against the Athens-Clarke County Police Department seeking access to information about two unsolved University student murders.

www.redandblack.com

"The Athens Banner-Herald has filed a lawsuit against the Athens-Clarke County Police Department seeking access to information about two unsolved University student murders.

The complaint - filed Friday - stems from newspaper officials' belief that the department is in violation of the Georgia Open Records Act, which provides the public with broad access to certain government records and documents.

Firefighters found Baker's body Jan. 19, 2001, while responding to fires set in her 160 Fawn Drive residence.

The police have denied the newspaper's request for information on the murders, citing an exemption in the law for ongoing investigations, Dunaway said.
"We disagree with the police department on their definition of ongoing investigation," said Jason Winders, executive editor of the Banner-Herald.

"We were not prompted by the families (of the victims)," Winders said. "We were prompted by years of what we feel is stonewalling."

Winders said the Banner-Herald is looking for a neutral third party to review the information on the murder cases and make a decision on whether to release the information to the public.

Dunaway said the ACC police have 30 days to respond to the complaint and that there are multiple possibilities for the case.

One potential outcome is a hearing before the judge where the lawyers argue each side, he said.
Another possibility is that the judge can look at the information on the murder cases and decide whether or not releasing it will harm the investigation, he said.
Sandi Turner, public information officer for Athens-Clarke County, said it is policy not to comment on pending litigation.

The Baker murder case has been under investigation for more than four years.
ACC police released information on the investigation - a description of a man seen fleeing the area near the murder and that her laptop computer was missing from her residence - nearly two years after the crime.

In a 2002 interview, Baker's father told The Red & Black, "What we got from the powers-that-be is lip service - and not very good lip service."

ACC police actions - handling of evidence, lack of communication - frustrated the Bakers, they said.

ACC police also kept the Bakers from identifying their daughter's body from photographs for nearly three months after her death and burial, they said.

The case has been assigned to Judge Lawton Stephens' court, but no hearing has been set, said a superior court clerk."

http://www.redandblack.com/.../article_7a047d77-61c4-5bb2...

 

[concernedcitizen706]

Here is another older article. In 2005, the Baker family staged a revolt with police, and tried to bring in outside people to help solve the case. Such as famed coroner Dr. Henry Lee. That is also when the police appointed Sgt. Courtney Gale to case, to try and placate the family to try and provide better communication.

Baker murder still unsolved

The same man who helped O.J. Simpson's defense team and investigated the death of JonBenet Ramsey may assist in the murder investigation of a University student.

www.redandblack.com

The same man who helped O.J. Simpson's defense team and investigated the death of JonBenet Ramsey may assist in the murder investigation of a University student.

Dr. Henry Lee, founder and professor of the Forensic Science Program at the University of New Haven, has offered to help with the case of the death of Tara Louise Baker.

Lee is a renowned crime scene investigator who is a frequent guest on Court TV.

On Jan. 19, 2001, Baker was found murdered in her home off Fawn Drive, on the east side of Athens, after firefighters responded to a fire at her residence. Police believe the fire was started to destroy any evidence that may have been left at the scene.

Thursday was the fifth anniversary of Baker's murder.

At a memorial service Thursday, Baker's father, Lindsay, held a brief news conference where he voiced his frustration with the Athens-Clarke County police in this investigation.

"This is a drastic situation, and it calls for drastic measures," Baker said. "The police say this is an open case, but we are yet to see any evidence."

Safe Campuses Now Director Keith Sims said no death certificate has ever been filed for Baker.

 

[concernedcitizen706]

"Baker's birthday painful reminder of her slaying | News | redandblack.com" Baker's birthday painful reminder of her slaying

"He also says Tara would not have tolerated the police work done in her own case.

"What we got from the powers-that-be is lip service -- and not very good lip service," he says. "We've contacted Athens-Clarke County police department at least a hundred times, and they've called three or four times. We've had to initiate the conversations with them."

Very little has been released about Tara's death, and there still is no death certificate."

"There are other actions by A-C police that still frustrate the Bakers -- handling of evidence, lack of communication -- but in fear of jeopardizing the ongoing investigation, they won't comment extensively about their disappointment."

 

[concernedcitizen706]

One has to wonder now, about some of those older articles I posted above from the Red and Black, the student newspaper. What was the point of the way the police acted, with the non-communication and the almost total secrecy? Looking back now, did that help in any way, to solve the case? What specifically about this case, made LE feel the need to do that? What did they feel they needed to keep secret? And one can also wonder, has that issue been resolved? Or does that same issue remain, and they are still trying to keep it a secret.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Baker graduated *advertiser censored* laude from Georgia College in 1998 with two bachelor’s degrees in political science and paralegal studies. (Courtesy/Cameron Jay)

Edrick Lamont Faust, who is accused of murdering Tara Baker, a University of Georgia law student, in 2001, appeared in an arraignment on Aug. 20 at the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse. Faust pled not guilty and was denied bond.

Suspect in Tara Baker murder pleads not guilty, is denied bond

Edrick Lamont Faust, who is accused of murdering Tara Baker, a University of Georgia law student, in 2001, appeared in an arraignment on Aug. 20 at the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse.

www.redandblack.com