On July 5, 2018, Detective Daniel Hayes of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Workplace, north of Atlanta, responded to a most uncommon name.
Peter Van Sant: A human physique in a burn pile. Had you ever acquired a name like that in your profession?
Det. Daniel Hayes: I had by no means personally responded to a name that — like that. No.
Gary Farris, 58, a married father of 4, was a profitable industrial actual property lawyer
Sherry Farris
The physique was later recognized as 58-year-old Gary Farris, the larger-than-life, 300-pound patriarch of the Farris property, now diminished to skeletal stays. Hayes realized Gary Farris was a rich industrial actual property lawyer, married to Melody Farris. They raised 4 youngsters: Chris, Scott, Emily and Amanda.
Det. Daniel Hayes: They’re all of their … late 20s, early 30s at this level … if not a bit of bit older.
Hayes additionally realized Gary and Melody had been married for 38 years and lived in a home on their superbly manicured 10-acre farm. Son Scott, who had served within the Military, managed the day-to-day operations on the farm, and lived in an residence above the barn.
Det. Daniel Hayes: Scott’s predominant perform at this level in his life … is to be the farmhand.
It was a seemingly idyllic life, till Gary’s stays had been found on that burn pile.
Scott Farris: I by no means thought such tragic factor would occur there.
Melody Farris: My world was spinning. … I wished to search out out what occurred.
WHAT HAPPENED TO GARY FARRIS?
Melody advised Hayes the final time she noticed Gary alive was through the night on Tuesday, July 3, 2018.
Melody Farris: He got here in and wished to know if I used to be going to organize dinner. … and I mentioned, Gary, there’s sufficient meals in that fridge there to feed Cox’s military … I mentioned, for those who don’t need it, then go get one thing to eat.
Peter Van Sant: And that’s it? That was the final time?
Melody Farris: That was the final phrases that had been spoken to him.
Melody advised Hayes her husband then went all the way down to his bed room within the basement. Gary had sleep apnea and slept alone along with his CPAP machine. Scott mentioned he had additionally final seen his father on July 3 at lunch. Scott spent the remainder of the time out along with his mates. He returned dwelling that night time round 11:30 p.m., and says he instantly observed a glow within the distance.
Scott Farris: After I pulled within the driveway …. you possibly can look off within the course the place the burn pile was and you possibly can see it was burning.
A burn pile — usually a dumping spot for yard waste and brush.
Scott Farris: … my dad did discuss … he was gonna burn that stuff on that — on that pile.
The following day, July 4, Scott and Melody advised investigators they didn’t encounter Gary.
Melody Farris: It was commonplace to not see Gary.
It wasn’t till the following day, July 5, Melody says, she realized Gary was lacking. Two of the grandchildren who had spent the night time requested to trip the RTV – or tough terrain car – with Gary, who they referred to as Large Daddy.
Melody Farris: And I advised them, I mentioned, “go ask Big Daddy to go ride it with you all” … They usually mentioned they couldn’t discover him.
Daughter Amanda was there, too. Son Chris arrived quickly after, and all of the adults began looking out the property — till Scott observed some bones among the many ashes on the burn pile.
Throughout a seek for his father, Scott Farris says he observed bones within the burn pile on his household’s property and referred to as 911.
John Luke Weaver/ Michael Ray
Scott Farris: I’ll always remember it till the day I die.
Melody Farris: His phrases had been, “Oh I found him.” … “What do you mean you found him?”
When the forensic group arrived they started documenting the burn pile, working previous darkish to sift via the ashes. That’s when the bullet was discovered lodged in Gary’s rib, and what had began as a doable unintentional loss of life — turned a homicide investigation.
Peter Van Sant: Why would someone wish to burn a physique?
Det. Daniel Hayes: Cowl up a criminal offense. You destroy proof.
Elsewhere, investigators searched the home, the barn and even the pond. They discovered a shotgun in the home. A number of different weapons and ammunition had been found within the barn. Each Melody and Scott allowed investigators to check their fingers for accelerants. The exams got here again unfavourable. Scott additionally advised the detectives one thing intriguing: he had just lately seen a pistol within the basement that was now lacking.
Scott Farris: It was simply very odd.
And one other factor Scott discovered odd was that his mother had his dad’s pockets.
Scott Farris: And I mentioned, “where’d you find that?” And she or he mentioned, properly, it’s within the console of his automobile. And I discovered that very, very odd ’trigger my dad by no means left his pockets in his automobile.
As Hayes’ investigation continued, he was studying all in regards to the Farris household’s dysfunctional dynamic – which got here to be often known as the “Farris Wheel.” In a tape-recorded dialog with Melody, she advised the detective there had been pressure between Gary and Scott.
MELODY FARRIS (police interview audio): He and Scott would get into it fairly closely. I imply, you understand, and so they’d come blows simply over issues as a result of Gary was so anal about every thing. I imply, Scott’s sizzling. … I imply he’s — he’s sizzling tempered.
However when detectives requested Scott what he thought occurred, he pointed the finger of suspicion at his mom.
SCOTT FARRIS (police interview audio): I’ve all the time had this intestine feeling, if one thing ever occurred to my dad, that someone wanted to test her out.
With the Farris Wheel beginning to flip, detectives requested Scott if his father was having an affair.
Scott Farris: My father didn’t try this. He was a one-woman kind of man and he married that girl. … He was not that sort of man.
Hayes then requested Melody if she was having an affair.
Peter Van Sant: What did she inform you?
Det. Daniel Hayes: She mentioned no.
Detectives discovered Gary Farris’ blood and a second bullet – matching the kind discovered in his rib bone — within the basement of the Farris dwelling.
John Luke Weaver/Michael Ray
Police centered in on what gave the impression to be drops of blood on the kitchen ground, the steps resulting in the basement and on the basement ground itself. When spots within the basement had been examined, they had been confirmed to be Gary’s blood. Police additionally discovered a .38 caliber bullet on the basement ground. The identical kind discovered lodged in Gary’s rib bone from the burn pile.
Peter Van Sant: And does that counsel in any means, some type of development of an assault on Gary?
Det. Daniel Hayes: That’s what we interpreted as, uh, as we began it’s that probably one thing occurred upstairs, led down the steps, and into the basement.
Hayes requested Melody point-blank if she had something to do with the loss of life of her husband.
DET. HAYES (police interview audio): So your assertion is you didn’t do something to hurt Gary?
MELODY FARRIS: No.
DET. HAYES: And also you don’t know who did?
MELODY FARRIS: No.
Hayes was skeptical. Investigators had discovered, in Melody’s purse, contraception and a bank card with one other man’s title on it: Roy Barton.
Peter Van Sant: When somebody’s mendacity to you … what does that counsel?
Det. Daniel Hayes: They’re responsible of one thing.
INSIDE THE FARRIS FAMILY DRAMA
When that bank card was present in Melody’s purse, investigators didn’t acknowledge the title on it.
Det. Daniel Hayes: Roy Barton. … Later discover out is Rusty Barton.
Rusty Barton was a farm tools salesman who hung out on the street in central Tennessee. In 2014, Melody was serving to to deal with Barton’s unwell stepmother, who occurred to be her cousin. That’s when Rusty and Melody turned intimate.
Det. Daniel Hayes: We realized that Rusty … is Melody’s lover that, uh, she’s having an affair with and has had an affair with … for fairly a while.
Peter Van Sant: Did you fall in love with Rusty?
Melody Farris: I liked him. Nonetheless love him. Was I in love with him? No.
Investigators wished to know extra in regards to the couple.
Peter Van Sant: How critical is that this relationship between Melody and Rusty?
Det. Daniel Hayes: Will depend on who you requested. The proof confirmed that it — it gave the impression to be fairly critical. They had been researching marriage ceremony bands.
Peter Van Sant: , for those who had been planning on getting married, it seems like a motive for homicide.
Melody Farris: You don’t marry the particular person you had been having an affair with.
Scott says Melody and Rusty’s love affair was the world’s worst stored secret.
Scott Farris: She thought she was good sufficient to cover it from all people, however all of us discovered, all of us knew.
Together with Gary. And when daughter Emily received married in 2016, Melody scandalized the marriage by inviting her lover for all to see.
Det. Daniel Hayes: Your husband is there on the identical venue and also you’re dancing and ingesting and — and having a superb time with this different man. … It was upsetting to Gary, uh, you understand. … It was upsetting to all of the household.
Peter Van Sant: That wasn’t a pleasant transfer in your half, was it?
Melody Farris: No. In hindsight, no.
“It has been called the ‘Farris Wheel,’ and it was, but it was our ‘Farris Wheel,’” Melody Farris mentioned of her household’s dynamic. “It was our life.”
It appeared the “Farris Wheel” was spinning quicker, with family drama turning into extra frequent.
Scott Farris: This entire “Farris Wheel” time period, none of us actually prefer it. However for those who wanna know who the motor was of turning that “Farris Wheel,” was Melody Farris. … She all the time stirred up drama, all the time.
Det. Daniel Hayes: It’s a real-life cleaning soap opera, that’s it.
A cleaning soap opera, Hayes believed, that revolved round what Gary had and others coveted: cash.
Det. Daniel Hayes: Loads of bickering, a number of fights over cash, a number of jealousy.
The Farris siblings. From left, Emily, Chris, Amanda and Scott.
Scott Farris
Gary had all the time been beneficiant towards his youngsters, whilst adults. Investigators realized he helped Emily purchase a home and financially assisted son Chris along with his enterprise and youngsters.
Det. Daniel Hayes: It made Melody flip towards her youngsters as a result of the youngsters had been spending cash.
However Melody claims she was solely upset as a result of the youngsters had been making the most of their father’s wealth.
Melody Farris: Chris, our oldest one, had been stealing cash. Such as you can’t imagine.
Chris says he and his father didn’t argue over cash. Detective Hayes appeared into the settlement Gary had struck with Scott.
Det. Daniel Hayes: He labored on the farm and Gary gave him spending cash.
Melody Farris: He had gotten the place he simply wouldn’t do something. He was on a regular basis enjoying golf, going to the lake, going out along with his mates.
Peter Van Sant: And who was paying for all of this?
Melody Farris: He was taking, you understand, bank cards from Gary.
However Scott says that’s not true in any respect and that the association he had along with his father labored properly for each of them.
Scott Farris: I used to be there to assist him with the farm. … There was no mooching.
Scott says it was truly Melody who’d run right into a monetary roadblock with Gary, largely due to her lavish spending on her affair with Barton.
Scott Farris: She would depart for weeks at a time after which 1000’s of {dollars} can be spent out of the account.
Det. Daniel Hayes: We discovered textual content messages the place he confronted her and mentioned, you understand … your … spending is completed. We gotta get a deal with on this.
Peter Van Sant: So what you’re saying is that it was Melody who was dealing with the potential of getting her — her cash lifeline minimize off?
Scott Farris: Just about. Sure.
Peter Van Sant: Was he offended at your spending?
Melody Farris: No. … I had a debit card. It had his title on it. I used to be free to make use of it nonetheless I wished to.
Whereas Melody and Rusty Barton lived in numerous states, cellphone data present they lived their lives in fixed communication.
Det. Daniel Hayes: She’s on the telephone with him each hour of every single day.
Together with the early morning hours of July 4, 2018, a day-and-a-half earlier than Gary was discovered. When questioned by investigators, Barton advised them that Melody had mentioned one thing alarming.
RUSTY BARTON (police interview audio): So, most likely the final minute of the final dialog, she mentioned, “Gary is in the burn pile.” No, she mentioned, “he is in the burn pile.” And I mentioned, “what?” And she or he mentioned, “he’s in the burn pile.” And I mentioned, “do not say another word and do not tell me anything. I do not need to know that.”
At the moment, solely the killer may have identified Gary was on the burn pile. Had Melody Farris confessed to homicide? Because the investigation continued, she was now the detective’s No. 1 suspect.
Scott Farris: I advised them every thing I knew.
Scott remembered one thing that occurred along with his mom the day earlier than Gary vanished. It now looks like foreshadowing.
Scott Farris: She comes out of the home with a plate in her hand and she or he’s screaming and cussing. And she or he throws the plate up towards the wall of the home and … shatters all of it into items. And she or he says, “I can’t wait ’till that f****** man’s dead. I can’t wait ’till I don’t have to live with him anymore.”
Gary Farris himself took out his telephone and recorded video of the plate shards scattered on the bottom. Three days later he was lifeless.
HOW DID GARY FARRIS’ BODY END UP ON THE BURN PILE?
On June 18, 2019, after an nearly 12-month investigation, detectives say that they had gathered sufficient proof to cost Melody Farris with the homicide of her husband, Gary Farris.
Peter Van Sant: Why did it take a 12 months to arrest Melody?
Det. Daniel Hayes: We had been ready on the post-mortem outcomes and the constructive identification of Gary Wayne Farris’ physique.
However for Hayes, there have been unanswered questions. How did Melody get Gary’s physique out the basement door and to the burn pile about 50 yards away?
Melody and Gary Farris
Sherry Farris
Peter Van Sant: She weighs, what, 130 kilos?
Det. Daniel Hayes: Round that I imagine.
Peter Van Sant: And Gary … is six-foot 4, six-foot 5, 300 kilos. … how on this planet may that girl have moved that physique?
Det. Daniel Hayes: With the tractor, with the RTV.
Two items of equipment that had been discovered on the farm.
Det. Daniel Hayes: She admitted that she drives [the] RTV on a regular basis … and has operated the tractor.
Hayes seized the 2 autos as proof. He took me to the lot the place they’re saved.
Peter Van Sant: How may every of those autos have been used to get Gary’s physique onto that pile?
Det. Daniel Hayes: Uh, each had been able to pulling a number of weight. This tractor has a bucket on the entrance that’s designed to scoop heavy hundreds.
Det. Daniel Hayes: We discovered tractor marks. However there have been tractor marks all around the property, however there have been none essentially clearly main proper as much as the burn pile.
Peter Van Sant: What did you discover as your forensic folks took a take a look at these autos?
Det. Daniel Hayes: Uh, we discovered blood, proof of blood on the autos.
Peter Van Sant: Are you able to present me the place?
Det. Daniel Hayes: I can. So on the tractor, we discovered blood proof on this space (factors to the step).
Gary’s blood. However nothing was discovered within the entrance bucket. On the RTV, Hayes says, Melody’s blood was discovered on one of many gear shifters; nothing was discovered within the again. Hayes thought of different eventualities.
Det. Daniel Hayes: There’s additionally a principle that she did it beneath her personal — her personal energy … rolling him all the way down to the burn pile. … it’s downhill all the way in which to the burn pile.
Peter Van Sant: Is there any blood that was found going from the home to the burn pile?
Det. Daniel Hayes: Not that we discovered.
Peter Van Sant: So this nonetheless stays a thriller, doesn’t it?
Det. Daniel Hayes: It does.
It was a thriller, too, for prosecutors Meaghan Frankish and Geoffrey Fogus.
Geoffrey Fogus: We don’t know precisely how she received him into the burn pile. …
Meaghan Frankish: She was a farm woman. … She was resourceful. … We all know she killed him. … how she did it doesn’t actually matter ’trigger we all know she did. ‘Trigger he was there.
The case took greater than 5 years to deliver to trial. Throughout that point, a deep divide shaped within the Farris household. Three of the youngsters, Chris, Scott, and Emily had been all satisfied their mom murdered their father. Gary and Melody’s youngest baby, Amanda, believed in Melody’s innocence.
Peter Van Sant: What did it imply for you that your daughter Amanda stood by you throughout all this time and has believed in your innocence?
Melody Farris: She’s a superb woman. (crying)
When the trial lastly started in October 2024, prosecutors Frankish and Fogus spoke to jurors with absolute certainty.
GEOFFREY FOGUS (opening assertion): The reply to the query — who did it? — sits proper there, Melody Walker Farris.
The motive? In keeping with prosecutors, Melody wished Gary lifeless so she may money in on his multimillion-dollar property and dwell fortunately ever after together with her lover of the previous 4 years — Rusty Barton.
Peter Van Sant: Why shouldn’t folks imagine you had the best motive to homicide Gary?
Melody Farris: I knew nothing about our monetary state of affairs. Completely nothing.
Prosecutors say on the night of July 3 – two days earlier than Gary’s physique was discovered – Gary and Melody received right into a battle within the kitchen and Melody shot him.
GEOFFREY FOGUS (opening assertion): He goes downstairs, attempting to get away. She shoots him once more.
Geoffrey Fogus: There’s a blood path from the kitchen … after which went down the steps.
Of their opening assertion, protection attorneys Michael Ray and John Luke Weaver attacked the prosecution’s claims… and advised jurors there’s a innocent clarification for these blood drops.
MICHAEL RAY: (opening assertion): These blood trails by no means lead out of the home upstairs or downstairs.
MICHAEL RAY (opening assertion): Gary had been bitten by one in every of Melody’s canine on the ankle and was bleeding as he walked down the steps.
John Luke Weaver: We’re speaking tiny little droplets of blood. That will not be according to a taking pictures. … you’d anticipate much more blood.
And daughter Amanda would testify she noticed that wound on her dad’s leg. The protection additionally argued Melody is harmless and raised these questions on how Gary’s physique received to the burn pile.
John Luke Weaver: Melody Farris at her measurement … it’s not possible that she moved that physique from the situation the place the state says his physique was to a burn pile. It’s completely not possible.
The protection additionally raised questions in regards to the homicide weapon.
MICHAEL RAY (opening assertion): The place is the gun? … No concept.
They provided up an alternate suspect: Melody’s personal son.
Peter Van Sant: And his motive can be?
John Luke Weaver: Monetary. … He wished the property.
MICHAEL RAY (opening assertion): One huge factor you’re gonna hear, and also you’re gonna hear it loads, is Scott Farris.
The protection argues that Scott — from the very starting — tried to attract consideration of investigators away from him.
MICHAEL RAY (opening assertion): 13 minutes after legislation enforcement arrives Scott Farris is already blaming his mom. From the very starting, Scott is saying, Melody, Melody, Melody … Main legislation enforcement down this path.
When the prosecution put Scott Farris on the stand, they requested him instantly.
Scott Farris testifies towards his mom Melody Farris.
Court docket TV/Pool
GEOFFREY FOGUS (in court docket): Did you homicide your father?
SCOTT FARRIS: I completely didn’t homicide my father … I like my father. He was the spine (crying) — He was the glue to our household.
Sitting simply ft away, Melody says Scott’s testimony was an act.
Melody Farris: The Scott that was in that courtroom was not my son. … He was properly rehearsed.
On cross-examination the protection identified that Scott, at 6’8,” 280 kilos, was the one particular person on the farm bodily able to transferring Gary’s 300-pound physique.
SCOTT FARRIS (in court docket): Due to my measurement and measurement of my father, sure, I used to be gonna be checked out like that. However I had nothing to do with it.
To assist set up a motive for homicide, prosecutors referred to as Melody’s lover, Rusty Barton, to the stand.
GEOFFREY FOGUS (in court docket): You — you’re from Alabama, is that proper? Excuse me, Tennessee. I apologize. …
RUSTY BARTON: I’m from Tennessee.
GEOFFREY FOGUS: And you’re a Tennessee –
RUSTY BARTON: There’s an enormous distinction.
GEOFFREY FOGUS: That’s true. And also you’re —
Geoffrey Fogus: He’s charming … he’s good.
And he says he captured the guts of married Melody Farris.
GEOFFREY FOGUS (in court docket): You had been in love together with her, honest to say?
RUSTY BARTON: Sure.
GEOFFREY FOGUS: And she or he was in love with you, honest to say?
RUSTY BARTON: Sure. …
GEOFFREY FOGUS: Recall looking for marriage ceremony bands on the web?
RUSTY BARTON: I do.
GEOFFREY FOGUS: What kind of marriage ceremony bands did y’all take note of? …
RUSTY BARTON: We talked about plain gold bands. …
GEOFFREY FOGUS: Inform the jury what you mentioned …
Fogus additionally requested Barton about that incriminating name.
RUSTY BARTON (in court docket): She mentioned that Gary was on the burn pile.
Keep in mind, Barton had advised investigators that decision had taken place earlier than Gary was discovered. However a 12 months later, after Melody was arrested, Barton modified his story, saying the decision occurred after the physique was found. He mentioned he had the dates mistaken.
RUSTY BARTON (in court docket): What I advised you was right, however when it occurred was not right.
However prosecutor Fogus didn’t purchase it and claims Barton was attempting to assist Melody.
PETER VAN SANT: You imagine him?
GEOFFREY FOGUS: No. … He was nonetheless in a relationship together with her. … He didn’t know the way this was going to prove.
On the time of the homicide, Barton was hours away in Tennessee. He was by no means charged with something referring to the loss of life of Gary Farris.
Extra witnesses would testify, and later, Melody — who was silent all through the trial — would deal with the court docket in a dramatic and explosive assertion that would depart her household reeling.
A FAMILY DIVIDED ON THE STAND
Day after day, Melody Farris confronted witnesses decided to see her pay for the alleged homicide of her husband.
None appeared extra dogged than her personal youngsters. Like Chris, Emily, and Scott.
CHRIS FARRIS (in court docket): I simply had my suspicions that she had one thing to do with this.
EMILY FARRIS (in court docket): She turned extra hostile. She was extra aggressive with us. She was demanding cash.
SCOTT FARRIS (in court docket): I imply, she all the time, you understand, talked unhealthy about my dad. … it’s like she all the time tried to brainwash us. Like he was, you understand, such a horrible particular person.
Melody Farris listens as three of her youngsters testify towards her in court docket.
Court docket TV/Pool
Peter Van Sant: Are you able to describe what it was like to observe every of your youngsters take the stand?
Melody Farris: Essentially the most heart-wrenching, gut-wrenching factor I had ever sat via in my total life.
Peter Van Sant: As a result of?
Melody Farris: I knew they had been mendacity.
Peter Van Sant: I’ve to inform you … you appeared so stoic throughout all of it.
Melody Farris: It was that the time that I’d stroll outta that courtroom at nighttime, I used to be able to scream on the high of my lungs.
Melody says three of her youngsters try to pin their father’s homicide on her for one easy purpose.
Melody Farris: Cash. Completely cash.
One of many last witnesses referred to as by prosecutors was Lindsay Harris, who leads the Intelligence Division within the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Workplace.
LINDSAY HARRIS (in court docket): I used to be requested in 2018, July of 2018, um, to investigate some telephone data …
Harris says she was in a position to observe the exact actions of Gary Farris’ cellphone on the household farm as a result of Gary had an Android telephone with its Google Location Providers turned on.
Lindsay Harris: This helps us know when the machine is touring even inside a sure space.
Harris found that on the morning of July 4, when investigators imagine Gary’s physique was already on the burn pile, his cellphone moved from the home to the burn pile and again to the home.
Lindsay Harris of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Workplace Intelligence Division analyzed telephone data for the prosecution and found that Gary Farris’ cellphone moved from the home to the burn pile and again to the home after investigators imagine his physique was already on the burn pile
Cherokee County District Legal professional’s Workplace
Lindsay Harris: A hundred percent the machine strikes from 7:58 to 9:05. … Somebody should be transferring it.
Prosecutors say that somebody may solely have been Melody Farris.
Meaghan Frankish: We knew that … the one particular person dwelling … was Melody.
Lindsay Harris says that in that point, Scott’s telephone was miles away from the farm.
Lindsay Harris: Scott leaves the residence round 6:30 a.m. on July 4th. He doesn’t return to the house till 8 p.m.-ish, 8:30 p.m. on July 4th.
The protection tries to problem this seemingly highly effective proof by questioning the accuracy of Harris’ findings.
John Luke Weaver: You possibly can clearly see that generally the circle’s very massive, generally it’s small, and generally it says you’re completely nowhere near the place you’re.
The protection referred to as seven witnesses; one in every of them was Gary and Melody’s youngest daughter Amanda.
AMANDA BRUCE (in court docket): She has advised me that she’s not responsible and all I can do is imagine that till someone can show she is responsible. So, I wish to imagine that my mom had nothing to do with this.
AMANDA BRUCE (in court docket): There’s simply a lot ache. I’m simply — there’s no good consequence. He’s by no means coming again. He’ll by no means be there once more. (crying) And that’s simply the worst half about all of it. And understanding that my mom can probably spend the remainder of her life in jail is terrifying.
It was now time to wrap this case up with closing arguments.
MEAGHAN FRANKISH (closing assertion): She had loads of motives. … she despised Gary. She hated that he was making a gift of their cash, her cash. That was the principle motive. … Rusty was a bonus.
In its closing, the protection did some heavy lifting to show how tough it could be for somebody Melody’s measurement to by some means get her 300-pound husband onto that burn pile.
In his closing, protection lawyer John Luke Weaver drags burlap baggage crammed with baggage of rock salt to show how robust it could be for Melody to have dragged her husband. “This is 320 lbs. … I am 185 lbs. and that’s all I have …”
Court docket TV/Pool
John Luke Weaver: I simply — it — it’s not real looking. … After which the truth that they — they’ve offered no precise proof as to how she did that, meaning there’s doubt.
On Oct. 30, 2024, the jury received the case. However after three days of deliberations, they despatched a observe to the choose saying they had been deadlocked. The choose advised them to offer it another attempt.
Melody Farris: I used to be completely numb. … You don’t know what to assume.
And just some hours later, Melody Farris was discovered responsible on all 5 counts towards her, together with malice homicide, felony homicide and making false statements.
Melody Farris: It was horrible. … They carried me instantly over to the jail. … I used to be alone. Curled up within the fetal place.
Jurors Sheila Albright and Chris Hyatt say the cellphone proof satisfied them of Melody’s guilt.
Chris Hyatt: As soon as we agreed on the time of loss of life, then it was OK, properly, how is that this telephone transferring after Gary’s physique is — it was within the burn pile. … who was on the property at the moment.
Peter Van Sant: And who was?
Chris Hyatt: Melody.
As for the query of how Gary received to the burn pile, Sheila Albright had a principle.
Sheila Albright: In my thoughts I believed that she first shot him inside the home ’trigger there was proof of that. … I believed perhaps he had run out the door, attempting to get from — away from her. … And perhaps she took him by gunpoint all the way down to the burn pile … I believe that perhaps the burn pile is the final place she shot him.
For Scott and a few members of the Farris household, the responsible verdict introduced reduction — though their very own mom was now a convicted assassin.
Scott Farris: As a result of we received justice for my father. We fought six years to get solutions. … My father liked my mom … he fought for my mom. … He was a really loving father.
However there can be no love proven by Melody at her sentencing when she was given the chance to specific regret and ask the choose for leniency.
MELODY HARRIS (at sentencing): I’ve waited for years to make this assertion to everybody.
However as a substitute of asking the choose for mercy, she named who she mentioned was the true killer.
A CONVICTED MOTHER ACCUSES HER OWN SON OF MURDER
MELODY FARRIS (at sentencing): … I need the world to know who did this. … I do know Scott killed his father. … He took my husband, the daddy of Chris, Emily, and Amanda. He took Large Daddy from our grandchildren.
However Melody was removed from carried out tormenting her son.
MELODY FARRIS (in court docket): Scott, that is unforgivable. Scott, I’ve spent my total life loving and defending you. However this, I refuse to cowl for you.
When Melody Farris used her sentencing listening to to accuse her son Scott of being Gary’s true assassin, a few of these within the courtroom had been floored.
At her sentencing, an emotional Melody Farris shocked the courtroom, saying, “Not only did I not do this, I know who did. I know Scott killed his father.” Scott Farris denies the declare
Court docket TV/Pool
Det. Daniel Hayes: I’m again on the … prosecution desk … we’re all sort of like, “I cannot believe this is happening.”
Meaghan Frankish: So, I used to be not ready for that. … It was surprising that that’s the alternative she believed was hers to take.
Scott, sitting behind his mom along with his household, merely stared in disbelief.
Scott Farris reacts to his mom’s shock declare in court docket.
Court docket TV/Pool
Scott Farris: Oh, I used to be infuriated. … She did her final last jabs. … That reveals you what she was like.
Peter Van Sant: One final flip of the knife.
Scott Farris: One final flip … to make someone’s life a residing hell as a result of it didn’t go her means.
Decide David Cannon had little endurance.
JUDGE CANNON (in court docket): All proper. Ms. Farris, I’m gonna minimize you off.
However Melody endured.
MELODY FARRIS (in court docket): And I plead with you, throw this verdict out. Assist me get justice for the proper particular person. (sniffle) As unhealthy because it sounds, I wish to be there to observe him chained and shackled and dropped at justice.
As an alternative, it was Melody who can be led away in chains. The 64-year-old was sentenced to life in jail, with the opportunity of parole after 30 years. She additionally acquired an extra 5 years for concealing Gary’s loss of life by burning his stays and making a false assertion to police.
Melody didn’t take the stand in her trial. As an alternative, she selected to inform her story completely to “48 Hours.”
Instantly after Melody Farris was sentenced to life in jail, with the opportunity of parole after 30 years, she walked into an unique interview with “48 Hours” correspondent Peter Van Sant, the place she continued to profess her innocence: “I didn’t do it. I did not do it.”
Peter Van Sant: I simply watched one of the vital extraordinary moments inside a courtroom that I’ve ever seen in my profession. … What would you like folks to find out about you and this case?
Melody Farris: I need everybody, however particularly my youngsters, my grandchildren, and at this level, the world, I didn’t do that. I do know who did. And it’s our son, Scott, and not using a shadow of a doubt. I do know he did it.
Scott Farris: I completely had nothing to do with my father’s loss of life. And it was 100% Melody Farris who murdered my father. That’s the reality.
Peter Van Sant: Why do you assume she accused you of killing your father?
Scott Farris: ‘Cause I was an easy target. … I lived on the property. I’m former army.
Melody claims she hadn’t spoken up till now out of maternal loyalty. She says her personal mom, now deceased, suspected Scott all alongside and requested Melody to take the blame. However now her time as Scott’s protect was over. Melody says she believes Scott set her up from the start. And she or he says she is aware of why.
Melody Farris: Scott wished that property to be his. He had made that identified to numerous folks. … It’s the proper homicide. You kill your daddy. You set your mom up. She goes to jail. You get every thing.
Peter Van Sant: You perceive, although, that to folks listening to this, they’re considering here’s a mom prepared to sacrifice … her son … to save lots of her personal pores and skin.
Melody Farris: I do.
Peter Van Sant: What would you say to that?
Melody Farris: This can be a mom’s worst nightmare.
Melody stands by her declare that Gary was on the point of minimize Scott off financially.
Melody Farris: Gary had made it very well-known that Scott wanted to get a job. … Issues had been fixing to alter on that property.
However Scott says Gary by no means issued an ultimatum that he get a job and by no means accused him of not pulling his weight.
Scott Farris: My dad truly made feedback to me saying, “hey, leave some work for me,” you understand? ‘Cause he wasn’t there through the week. … He’s like, “well, don’t cut the pasture yet. Let me do it.”
Melody says she advised Detective Hayes she’d seen Scott performing suspiciously the day earlier than Gary’s physique was discovered.
Melody Farris: I mentioned I noticed Scott come from that burn pile.
Peter Van Sant: Did she inform you that?
Det. Daniel Hayes No.
Peter Van Sant: And why would she lie now?
Det. Daniel Hayes: It’s a must to take a look at the timing of the assertion. … She has nothing to lose. She’s gonna … make every kind of off-the-wall claims at this level which might be simply not provable.
Regardless of a sentence that can seemingly imply spending the remainder of her life in jail, Melody stays decided to show her innocence.
Peter Van Sant: At some point you imagine you’ll stroll a free girl once more.
Melody Farris: I actually hope so. I do. However I can be sitting there proper behind my son in court docket.
Peter Van Sant: And for individuals who imagine you bought precisely what you deserved, you say?
Melody Farris: I didn’t do it. I didn’t do it.
Scott Farris: She is aware of she did it. … She must cease with the lies. Simply come clear. Cease attempting to spoil all of our lives as a result of it didn’t work out for you.
Scott Farris: I nonetheless haven’t been ready to determine why she would do that. I don’t know if I ever will.
Melody Farris can be eligible for parole in 2054. She can be 94 years previous.
Betsy Shuller, Susan Mallie and Asena Basak are the producers. Hannah Vair is the sphere producer. Elizabeth Caholo is the affiliate producer. Ryan Smith and Jenna Jackson are the event producers. Gary Winter, Joan Adelman and Wini Dini are the editors. Anthony Batson is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the chief story editor. Judy Tygard is the chief producer.
Extra from CBS Information
Peter Van Sant
