I know nothing about this case; however, I thought this was an interesting article. Not bad for Court tv as usually need to take them with a grain of salt. just an opinion only
UPDATE: Edrick Faust is charged in the 2001 cold case murder of University of Georgia law student Tara Louise Baker.
www.courttv.com
A heated moment unfolded in court when defense attorney Ahmad Crews was held in contempt and fined $1,000 after prosecutors objected twice to comments made during opening statements. Crews said the comments were not intended to circumvent the statute, but rather to show Chris Melton’s consciousness of guilt in his conflicting statements. Judge Lisa Lott ruled the remarks violated Georgia’s rape shield law, known as Rule 412, which limits references to an alleged victim’s sexual history without prior court approval. The judge went on to explain that if the defense believes the evidence is relevant, they must file a formal notice and obtain court approval before referencing it before the jury.
You have got to watch the trial on Law & order trial channel. It is wild. It's the craziest case I've ever seen because the lack of evidence as well as the screw ups on the prosecution evidence is amazing.
Here's an approximate conversation towards the end of today's trial with one of their star prosecution witnesses.
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My interpretive summary on the prosecution's witness answers on the alibi of the defense alternative suspect Chris Melton, the former boyfriend of Tara Baker. I mean when I'm writing here is not too far off of what actually happened.
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Prosecution witness, former Athens Police crime analyst, David Griffin says on stand to defense lawyer:
Griffith: I can tell you with certainty that we know from all the evidence that Tara Baker bf Chris Melton was not in Athens Georgia at the time of the crime.
Defense attorney: how did you confirm this?
Griffith: We talked to Chris Melton his high school buddy and his mama and his daddy. And we talked to his mama and daddy for the first time, 4 months after the crime.
Defense attorney: did you get any video or any other evidence or did you go confirm with his employment that he was there?
Griffith: no we did not talk to his employer to confirm his alibi. Because Chris cannot remember his work phone number or remember the address of where he worked. Even though we interviewed him two days after the crime. So we had no way of calling them or going to the workplace. Chris didn't even get any paychecks or show us that he ever got any money from the place he said he worked at
But we all looked at the evidence and we all felt with certainty from all the evidence that Chris was not in Athens. But I can't really remember now what the evidence was, or why we all felt that way. It was too long ago. I just can't remember that far back. But I remember with certainty that we in the police all did feel that Chris wasn't in town. It was a really big feeling that we had. And we all felt that big feeling. I remember that much.
Defense attorney: but Chris Melton and his high school buddy and co-worker Jordy, both said that they were in two different places at different times that morning. How can you trust that alibi?
Griffith: we know with great certainty from all the evidence that Chris was not in Athens
Defense attorney: yeah based on his mama and daddy and best friend right? Do you have anything else?
Griffith: I think the best person to confirm Chris Melton's alibi, is to talk to Chris Melton here, and he will tell you where he was. I feel that Chris Melton is the best person to confirm Chris Melton's alibi. That's my professional opinion as an elite criminal analyst with elite FBI training.
