Georgia lady convicted of husband’s homicide says she is aware of who the true killer is: “I did not do it.”

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 obtained a name like that in your profession?

Det. Daniel Hayes: I had by no means personally responded to a name that — like that. No.

The physique was later recognized as 58-year-old Gary Farris, the larger-than-life, 300-pound patriarch of the Farris property, now lowered to skeletal stays. Hayes discovered 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 little bit bit older.

Hayes additionally discovered Gary and Melody have been married for 38 years and lived in a home on their fantastically 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 essential operate at this level in his life … is to be the farmhand.

It was a seemingly idyllic life, till Gary’s stays have 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 needed to search out out what occurred.

WHAT HAPPENED TO GARY FARRIS?

Melody instructed Hayes the final time she noticed Gary alive was in the course of the night on Tuesday, July 3, 2018.

Melody Farris: He got here in and needed to know if I used to be going to arrange dinner. … and I mentioned, Gary, there’s sufficient meals in that fridge there to feed Cox’s military … I mentioned, if you happen to 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 have been spoken to him.

Melody instructed Hayes her husband then went all the way down to his bed room within the basement. Gary had sleep apnea and slept alone together 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 together with his buddies. He returned residence that night time round 11:30 p.m., and says he instantly seen a glow within the distance.

Scott Farris: After I pulled within the driveway …. you might look off within the route the place the burn pile was and you might see it was burning.

A burn pile — sometimes a dumping spot for yard waste and brush.

Scott Farris: … my dad did speak about … he was gonna burn that stuff on that — on that pile.

The subsequent day, July 4, Scott and Melody instructed investigators they didn’t encounter Gary.

Melody Farris: It was commonplace to not see Gary.

It wasn’t till the subsequent day, July 5,  Melody says, she realized Gary was lacking. Two of the grandchildren who had spent the night time requested to journey the RTV – or tough terrain automobile – with Gary, who they known as Huge Daddy.

Melody Farris: And I instructed 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 seen some bones among the many ashes on the burn pile.

Scott Farris: I’ll always remember it till the day I die.

Melody Farris: His phrases have been, “Oh I found him.” … “What do you mean you found him?”

When the forensic staff arrived they started documenting the burn pile, working previous darkish to sift by way of the ashes. That’s when the bullet was discovered lodged in Gary’s rib, and what had began as a doable unintentional dying — turned a homicide investigation.

Peter Van Sant: Why would any person wish to burn a physique?

Det. Daniel Hayes: Cowl up against the law. 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 have been found within the barn. Each Melody and Scott allowed investigators to check their palms for accelerants. The exams got here again unfavourable. Scott additionally instructed the detectives one thing intriguing: he had 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, nicely, it’s within the console of his automotive. And I discovered that very, very odd ’trigger my dad by no means left his pockets in his automotive.

As Hayes’ investigation continued, he was studying all concerning the Farris household’s dysfunctional dynamic – which got here to be referred to as the “Farris Wheel.” In a tape-recorded dialog with Melody, she instructed the detective there had been stress 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 the whole lot. 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 at all times had this intestine feeling, if one thing ever occurred to my dad, that any person wanted to examine 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 sort of man and he married that lady. … He was not that type of man.

Hayes then requested Melody if she was having an affair.

Peter Van Sant: What did she let you know?

Det. Daniel Hayes: She mentioned no.

Police centered in on what gave the impression to be drops of blood on the kitchen flooring, the steps resulting in the basement and on the basement flooring itself. When spots within the basement have been examined, they have been confirmed to be Gary’s blood. Police additionally discovered a .38 caliber bullet on the basement flooring. The identical sort discovered lodged in Gary’s rib bone from the burn pile.

Peter Van Sant: And does that recommend in any manner, some kind of development of an assault on Gary?

Det. Daniel Hayes: That’s what we interpreted as, uh, as we began taking a look at it’s that presumably 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 dying 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 recommend?

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 gear salesman who hung out on the highway in central Tennessee. In 2014, Melody was serving to to handle Barton’s sick stepmother, who occurred to be her cousin. That’s when Rusty and Melody turned intimate.

Det. Daniel Hayes: We discovered 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 cherished him. Nonetheless love him. Was I in love with him? No.

Investigators needed to know extra concerning the couple.

Peter Van Sant: How severe is that this relationship between Melody and Rusty?

Det. Daniel Hayes: Is determined by who you requested. The proof confirmed that it — it gave the impression to be fairly severe. They have been researching marriage ceremony bands.

Peter Van Sant: You already know, if you happen to have been planning on getting married, it appears like a motive for homicide.

Melody Farris: You don’t marry the particular person you have been having an affair with. 

Scott says Melody and Rusty’s love affair was the world’s worst saved secret.

Scott Farris: She thought she was good sufficient to cover it from everyone, however all of us came upon, all of us knew.

Together with Gary. And when daughter Emily acquired married in 2016, Melody scandalized the marriage by inviting her lover for all to see.

Det. Daniel Hayes: Your husband is there on the similar venue and also you’re dancing and ingesting and — and having a very good 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 appeared the “Farris Wheel” was spinning quicker, with family drama turning into extra frequent.

Scott Farris: This complete “Farris Wheel” time period, none of us actually prefer it. However if you happen to wanna know who the motor was of turning that “Farris Wheel,” was Melody Farris. … She at all times stirred up drama, at all times.

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: Numerous bickering, lots of fights over cash, lots of jealousy.

Gary had at all times been beneficiant towards his youngsters, whilst adults. Investigators discovered he helped Emily purchase a home and financially assisted son Chris together with his enterprise and kids.

Det. Daniel Hayes: It made Melody flip in opposition to her youngsters as a result of the kids have been spending cash.

However Melody claims she was solely upset as a result of the kids have been benefiting from their father’s wealth.

Melody Farris: Chris, our oldest one, had been stealing cash. Such as you can not consider.

Chris says he and his father didn’t argue over cash. Detective Hayes regarded 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 taking part in golf, going to the lake, going out together with his buddies.

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 together with his father labored nicely 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 really 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} shall 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 going through 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 nevertheless I needed 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 cellphone with him each hour of each 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 instructed 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 might 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 instructed them the whole lot I knew.

Scott remembered one thing that occurred together with his mom the day earlier than Gary vanished. It now looks as if foreshadowing.

Scott Farris: She comes out of the home with a plate in her hand and he or she’s screaming and cussing. And she or he throws the plate up in opposition to 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 cellphone 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 they’d 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 have been ready on the post-mortem outcomes and the optimistic 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?

Peter Van Sant: She weighs, what, 130 kilos?

Det. Daniel Hayes: Round that I consider.

Peter Van Sant: And Gary … is six-foot 4, six-foot 5, 300 kilos. … how on the earth might that lady have moved that physique?

Det. Daniel Hayes: With the tractor, with the RTV.

Two items of equipment that have 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 might every of those autos have been used to get Gary’s physique onto that pile?

Det. Daniel Hayes: Uh, each have been able to pulling lots of weight. This tractor has a bucket on the entrance that’s designed to scoop heavy masses.

Det. Daniel Hayes: We discovered tractor marks. However there have been tractor marks everywhere in 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 individuals took a have 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 concept that she did it underneath her personal — her personal energy … rolling him all the way down to the burn pile. … it’s downhill all the best way 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 acquired 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 carry to trial. Throughout that point, a deep divide shaped within the Farris household. Three of the kids, Chris, Scott, and Emily have 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 very good 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 response to prosecutors, Melody needed Gary lifeless so she might money in on his multimillion-dollar property and stay fortunately ever after along with her lover of the previous 4 years — Rusty Barton.

 

Peter Van Sant: Why shouldn’t individuals consider you had the best motive to homicide Gary?

Melody Farris: I knew nothing about our monetary scenario. Completely nothing.

Prosecutors say on the night of July 3 – two days earlier than Gary’s physique was discovered – Gary and Melody acquired 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 instructed jurors there’s a innocent rationalization 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 considered one of Melody’s canines on the ankle and was bleeding as he walked down the steps.

John Luke Weaver: We’re speaking tiny little droplets of blood. That may not be in step with a capturing. … you’d count on way 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 acquired to the burn pile.

John Luke Weaver: Melody Farris at her dimension … it’s unattainable that she moved that physique from the situation the place the state says his physique was to a burn pile. It’s completely unattainable.

The protection additionally raised questions concerning the homicide weapon.

MICHAEL RAY (opening assertion): The place is the gun? … No concept.

They provided up another suspect: Melody’s personal son.

Peter Van Sant: And his motive could be?

John Luke Weaver: Monetary. … He needed the property.

MICHAEL RAY (opening assertion): One large factor you’re gonna hear, and also you’re gonna hear it lots, 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.

GEOFFREY FOGUS (in courtroom): 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 nicely 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 courtroom): Due to my dimension and dimension 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 known as Melody’s lover, Rusty Barton, to the stand.

GEOFFREY FOGUS (in courtroom): 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 courtroom): You have been in love along with her, truthful to say?

RUSTY BARTON: Sure.

GEOFFREY FOGUS: And she or he was in love with you, truthful to say?

RUSTY BARTON: Sure. …

GEOFFREY FOGUS: Recall trying to find marriage ceremony bands on the web?

RUSTY BARTON: I do.

GEOFFREY FOGUS: What sort of marriage ceremony bands did y’all bear in mind? …

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 courtroom): She mentioned that Gary was on the burn pile.

Bear in mind, Barton had instructed 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 unsuitable.

RUSTY BARTON (in courtroom): What I instructed 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 consider him?

GEOFFREY FOGUS: No. … He was nonetheless in a relationship along 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 regarding the dying of Gary Farris.

Extra witnesses would testify, and later, Melody — who was silent all through the trial — would tackle the courtroom 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 courtroom): I simply had my suspicions that she had one thing to do with this.

EMILY FARRIS (in courtroom): She turned extra hostile. She was extra aggressive with us. She was demanding cash.

SCOTT FARRIS (in courtroom): I imply, she at all times, you understand, talked unhealthy about my dad. … it’s like she at all times tried to brainwash us. Like he was, you understand, such a horrible particular person.

Peter Van Sant: Are you able to describe what it was like to look at every of your youngsters take the stand?

Melody Farris: Probably the most heart-wrenching, gut-wrenching factor I had ever sat by way of in my total life.

Peter Van Sant: As a result of?

Melody Farris: I knew they have been mendacity.

Peter Van Sant: I’ve to let you know … 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 cause.

Melody Farris: Cash. Completely cash.

One of many ultimate witnesses known as by prosecutors was Lindsay Harris, who leads the Intelligence Division within the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Workplace.

LINDSAY HARRIS (in courtroom): I used to be requested in 2018, July of 2018, um, to investigate some cellphone data …

Harris says she was capable of monitor the exact actions of Gary Farris’ cellphone on the household farm as a result of Gary had an Android cellphone with its Google Location Providers turned on.

Lindsay Harris: This helps us know when the gadget is touring even inside a sure space.

Harris found that on the morning of July 4, when investigators consider 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: 100% the gadget strikes from 7:58 to 9:05. … Somebody should be transferring it.

Prosecutors say that somebody might solely have been Melody Farris.

Meaghan Frankish: We knew that … the one particular person residence … was Melody.

Lindsay Harris says that in that point, Scott’s cellphone 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 might be.

The protection known as seven witnesses; considered one of them was Gary and Melody’s youngest daughter Amanda.

AMANDA BRUCE (in courtroom): She has instructed me that she’s not responsible and all I can do is consider that till any person can show she is responsible. So, I wish to consider that my mom had nothing to do with this.

AMANDA BRUCE (in courtroom): There’s simply a lot ache. I’m simply — there’s no good final result. 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 realizing 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 primary motive. … Rusty was a bonus.

In its closing, the protection did some heavy lifting to exhibit how tough it will be for somebody Melody’s dimension to in some way get her 300-pound husband onto that burn pile.

John Luke Weaver: I simply — it — it’s not practical. … After which the truth that they — they’ve introduced no precise proof as to how she did that, meaning there’s doubt.

On Oct. 30, 2024, the jury acquired the case. However after three days of deliberations, they despatched a word to the choose saying they have been deadlocked. The choose instructed them to provide it yet one more attempt.

Melody Farris: I used to be completely numb. … You don’t know what to suppose.

And just some hours later, Melody Farris was discovered responsible on all 5 counts in opposition to 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 dying, then it was OK, nicely, how is that this cellphone 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 acquired to the burn pile, Sheila Albright had a concept.

Sheila Albright: In my thoughts I assumed that she first shot him inside the home ’trigger there was proof of that. … I assumed 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 aid — regardless that their very own mom was now a convicted assassin.

Scott Farris: As a result of we acquired justice for my father. We fought six years to get solutions. … My father cherished my mom … he fought for my mom. … He was a really loving father.

However there could be no love proven by Melody at her sentencing when she was given the chance to precise 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 Huge Daddy from our grandchildren.

However Melody was removed from accomplished tormenting her son.

MELODY FARRIS (in courtroom):  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 have been floored.

Det. Daniel Hayes: I’m again on the … prosecution desk … we’re all type of like, “I cannot believe this is happening.”

Meaghan Frankish: So, I used to be not ready for that. … It was stunning that that’s the alternative she believed was hers to take.

Scott, sitting behind his mom together with his household, merely stared in disbelief.

Scott Farris: Oh, I used to be infuriated. … She did her final ultimate jabs. … That exhibits you what she was like.

Peter Van Sant: One final flip of the knife.

Scott Farris: One final flip … to make any person’s life a dwelling hell as a result of it didn’t go her manner.

Choose David Cannon had little endurance.

JUDGE CANNON (in courtroom): All proper. Ms. Farris, I’m gonna minimize you off.

However Melody continued.

MELODY FARRIS (in courtroom): 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 look at him chained and shackled and dropped at justice.

As a substitute, it was Melody who could be led away in chains. The 64-year-old was sentenced to life in jail, with the potential for parole after 30 years. She additionally obtained an extra 5 years for concealing Gary’s dying by burning his stays and making a false assertion to police.

Melody didn’t take the stand in her trial. As a substitute, she selected to inform her story completely to “48 Hours.”

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 individuals 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, with out a shadow of a doubt. I do know he did it.

Scott Farris: I completely had nothing to do with my father’s dying. And it was 100% Melody Farris who murdered my father. That’s the fact.

Peter Van Sant: Why do you suppose 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 needed that property to be his. He had made that identified to numerous individuals. … It’s the right homicide. You kill your daddy. You set your mom up. She goes to jail. You get the whole lot.

Peter Van Sant: You perceive, although, that to individuals listening to this, they’re pondering here’s a mom keen 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: It is a mom’s worst nightmare.

Melody stands by her declare that Gary was on the brink of minimize Scott off financially.

Melody Farris: Gary had made it very well-known that Scott wanted to get a job. … Issues have 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 really made feedback to me saying, “hey, leave some work for me,” you understand? ‘Cause he wasn’t there in the course of the week. … He’s like, “well, don’t cut the pasture yet. Let me do it.”

Melody says she instructed 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 let you know that?

Det. Daniel Hayes No.

Peter Van Sant: And why would she lie now?

Det. Daniel Hayes: You must have 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 are simply not provable.

Regardless of a sentence that may possible imply spending the remainder of her life in jail, Melody stays decided to show her innocence.

Peter Van Sant: Sooner or later you consider you’ll stroll a free lady once more.

Melody Farris: I definitely hope so. I do. However I shall be sitting there proper behind my son in courtroom.

Peter Van Sant: And for many who consider 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 break all of our lives as a result of it didn’t work out for you.

Scott Farris: I nonetheless haven’t been in a position to determine why she would do that. I don’t know if I ever will.

Melody Farris shall be eligible for parole in 2054. She shall be 94 years outdated.

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Betsy Shuller, Susan Mallie and Asena Basak are the producers. Hannah Vair is the sector 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.