Georgia girl convicted of husband’s homicide says she is aware of who the actual killer is: “I didn’t 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 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.

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 realized Gary Farris was a rich industrial actual property legal professional, 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 somewhat 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 house above the barn.

Det. Daniel Hayes: Scott’s essential 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 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 wished to know if I used to be going to organize dinner. … and I stated, Gary, there’s sufficient meals in that fridge there to feed Cox’s military … I stated, if you do not need it, then go get one thing to eat.

Peter Van Sant: And that is it? That was the final time?

Melody Farris: That was the final phrases that had been spoken to him.

Melody instructed Hayes her husband then went right down to his bed room within the basement. Gary had sleep apnea and slept alone together with his CPAP machine. Scott stated he had additionally final seen his father on July 3 at lunch. Scott spent the remainder of the day trip together with his associates. He returned dwelling that evening round 11:30 p.m., and says he instantly seen a glow within the distance.

Scott Farris: Once I pulled within the driveway …. you may look off within the path the place the burn pile was and you may 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 subsequent day, July 4, Scott and Melody instructed investigators they did not 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 evening requested to experience the RTV – or tough terrain car – with Gary, who they referred to as Huge Daddy.

Melody Farris: And I instructed them, I stated, “go ask Huge Daddy to go experience it with you all” … They usually stated they could not 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 will always remember it till the day I die.

Melody Farris: His phrases had been, “Oh I discovered him.” … “What do you imply you discovered him?”

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

Peter Van Sant: Why would any person 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 unfavorable. Scott additionally instructed the detectives one thing intriguing: he had not too long ago 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 stated, “the place’d you discover that?” And she or he stated, effectively, it is 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 concerning 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 instructed the detective there had been rigidity between Gary and Scott.

MELODY FARRIS (police interview audio): He and Scott would get into it fairly closely. I imply, you understand, they usually’d come blows simply over issues as a result of Gary was so anal about all the things. I imply, Scott’s sizzling. … I imply he’s — he is 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 any person wanted to verify 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 do 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 let you know?

Det. Daniel Hayes: She stated no.

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 recommend in any method, some form of development of an assault on Gary?

Det. Daniel Hayes: That is what we interpreted as, uh, as we began taking a look at 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 dying of her husband.

DET. HAYES (police interview audio): So your assertion is you did not do something to hurt Gary?

MELODY FARRIS: No.

DET. HAYES: And you do not 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 identify 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 identify on it.

Det. Daniel Hayes: Roy Barton. … Later discover out is Rusty Barton.

Rusty Barton was a farm gear salesman who frolicked on the highway in central Tennessee. In 2014, Melody was serving to to handle Barton’s ailing stepmother, who occurred to be her cousin. That is 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 beloved him. Nonetheless love him. Was I in love with him? No.

Investigators wished to know extra concerning the couple.

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

Det. Daniel Hayes: Relies on who you requested. The proof confirmed that it — it gave the impression to be fairly severe. They had been researching marriage ceremony bands.

Peter Van Sant: You recognize, when you had been planning on getting married, it feels like a motive for homicide.

Melody Farris: You do not 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 everyone, however all of us came upon, 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 consuming and — and having a great 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 changing into extra frequent.

Scott Farris: This complete “Farris Wheel” time period, none of us actually prefer it. However when you 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 is a real-life cleaning soap opera, that is it.

A cleaning soap opera, Hayes believed, that revolved round what Gary had and others coveted: cash.

Det. Daniel Hayes: Plenty of bickering, a number of fights over cash, a number of jealousy.

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 together with his enterprise and kids.

Det. Daniel Hayes: It made Melody flip towards her youngsters as a result of the kids had been spending cash.

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

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

Chris says he and his father didn’t argue over cash. Detective Hayes seemed 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 together with his associates.

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 is not true in any respect and that the association he had together with his father labored effectively 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 go away for weeks at a time after which hundreds of {dollars} might be spent out of the account.

Det. Daniel Hayes: We discovered textual content messages the place he confronted her and stated, you understand … your … spending is completed. We gotta get a deal with on this.

Peter Van Sant: So what you are saying is that it was Melody who was going through the potential of getting her — her cash lifeline reduce off?

Scott Farris: Just about. Sure.

Peter Van Sant: Was he indignant at your spending?

Melody Farris: No. … I had a debit card. It had his identify on it. I used to be free to make use of it nevertheless I wished to.

Whereas Melody and Rusty Barton lived in numerous states, cellphone information 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 stated one thing alarming.

RUSTY BARTON (police interview audio): So, in all probability the final minute of the final dialog, she stated, “Gary is within the burn pile.” No, she stated, “he’s within the burn pile.” And I stated, “what?” And she or he stated, “he is within the burn pile.” And I stated, “don’t say one other phrase and don’t inform me something. I don’t have 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 instructed them all the things I knew.

Scott remembered one thing that occurred together 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 am unable to wait ‘until that f****** man’s useless. I am unable to wait ‘until I haven’t got to dwell 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 useless.

HOW DID GARY FARRIS’ BODY END UP ON THE BURN PILE?

On June 18, 2019, after an virtually 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 yr 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?

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 the earth 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 automobiles as proof. He took me to the lot the place they’re saved.

Peter Van Sant: How may every of those automobiles 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 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 take a look at these automobiles?

Det. Daniel Hayes: Uh, we discovered blood, proof of blood on the automobiles.

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 situations.

Det. Daniel Hayes: There’s additionally a principle that she did it underneath her personal — her personal energy … rolling him right down to the burn pile. … it is 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, does not it?

Det. Daniel Hayes: It does.

It was a thriller, too, for prosecutors Meaghan Frankish and Geoffrey Fogus.

Geoffrey Fogus: We do not know precisely how she received him into the burn pile. …

Meaghan Frankish: She was a farm lady. … She was resourceful. … We all know she killed him. … how she did it does not 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 fashioned within the Farris household. Three of the kids, Chris, Scott, and Emily had been all satisfied their mom murdered their father. Gary and Melody’s youngest youngster, 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 great lady. (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 useless so she may money in on his multimillion-dollar belongings and dwell fortunately ever after along with her lover of the previous 4 years — Rusty Barton.

 

Peter Van Sant: Why should not individuals 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 struggle 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 is 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 is 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 one in all 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 might not be according to a capturing. … you’ll 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 dimension … it’s inconceivable that she moved that physique from the situation the place the state says his physique was to a burn pile. It’s completely inconceivable.

The protection additionally raised questions concerning the homicide weapon.

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

They supplied up an alternate suspect: Melody’s personal son.

Peter Van Sant: And his motive could be?

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

MICHAEL RAY (opening assertion): One massive factor you are gonna hear, and also you’re gonna hear it rather a lot, 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 immediately.

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 toes away, Melody says Scott’s testimony was an act.

Melody Farris: The Scott that was in that courtroom was not my son. … He was effectively 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 shifting 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 referred to as Melody’s lover, Rusty Barton, to the stand.

GEOFFREY FOGUS (in courtroom): You — you are from Alabama, is that proper? Excuse me, Tennessee. I apologize. …

RUSTY BARTON: I am from Tennessee.

GEOFFREY FOGUS: And you’re a Tennessee –

RUSTY BARTON: There is a massive distinction.

GEOFFREY FOGUS: That is true. And also you’re —

Geoffrey Fogus: He is charming … he is good.

And he says he captured the center of married Melody Farris.

GEOFFREY FOGUS (in courtroom): You had 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 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 stated …

Fogus additionally requested Barton about that incriminating name.

RUSTY BARTON (in courtroom): She stated that Gary was on the burn pile.

Keep in mind, Barton had instructed investigators that decision had taken place earlier than Gary was discovered. However a yr later, after Melody was arrested, Barton modified his story, saying the decision occurred after the physique was found. He stated he had the dates mistaken.

RUSTY BARTON (in courtroom): What I instructed you was appropriate, however when it occurred was not appropriate.

However prosecutor Fogus did not 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 along with her. … He did not understand how this was going to end up.

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 handle the courtroom in a dramatic and explosive assertion that would go away 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 all the time, you understand, talked unhealthy about my dad. … it is like she all the time 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 means of in my complete life.

Peter Van Sant: As a result of?

Melody Farris: I knew they had 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 might 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 are attempting to pin their father’s homicide on her for one easy cause.

Melody Farris: Cash. Completely cash.

One of many closing witnesses referred to 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 research some cellphone information …

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 cellphone with its Google Location Companies turned on.

Lindsay Harris: This helps us know when the system 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: 100% the system strikes from 7:58 to 9:05. … Somebody have to be shifting 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 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 giant, generally it is small, and generally it says you are completely nowhere near the place you might be.

The protection referred to as seven witnesses; one in all 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 imagine that till any person can show she is responsible. So, I wish to imagine that my mom had nothing to do with this.

AMANDA BRUCE (in courtroom): There’s simply a lot ache. I am simply — there is no good consequence. He is by no means coming again. He’ll by no means be there once more. (crying) And that is simply the worst half about all of it. And figuring out 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 is not reasonable. … 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 instructed them to provide it yet another strive.

Melody Farris: I used to be completely numb. … You do not know what to assume.

And only a few 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 dying, then it was OK, effectively, how is that this cellphone shifting 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 assumed that she first shot him inside the home ‘trigger there was proof of that. … I assumed possibly he had run out the door, attempting to get from — away from her. …  And possibly she took him by gunpoint right down to the burn pile … I feel that possibly 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 — regardless that 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 beloved 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 an alternative of asking the choose for mercy, she named who she stated was the actual killer.

A CONVICTED MOTHER ACCUSES HER OWN SON OF MURDER

MELODY FARRIS (at sentencing): … I would like 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 finished tormenting her son.

MELODY FARRIS (in courtroom):  Scott, that is unforgivable. Scott, I’ve spent my complete 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.

Det. Daniel Hayes: I am again on the … prosecution desk … we’re all sort of like, “I can not imagine that is occurring.”

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 together with his household, merely stared in disbelief.

Scott Farris: Oh, I used to be infuriated. … She did her final closing 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 residing hell as a result of it did not go her method.

Choose David Cannon had little persistence.

JUDGE CANNON (in courtroom): All proper. Ms. Farris, I am gonna reduce you off.

However Melody endured.

MELODY FARRIS (in courtroom): And I plead with you, throw this verdict out. Assist me get justice for the right 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 acquired a further 5 years for concealing Gary’s dying by burning his stays and making a false assertion to police.

Melody did not 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 some of the 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 would like everybody, however particularly my youngsters, my grandchildren, and at this level, the world, I did not do that. I do know who did. And it is our son, Scott, with no 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 one hundred pc 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: ‘Trigger I used to be a straightforward goal. … I lived on the property. I am 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 defend 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 individuals. … It is the proper homicide. You kill your daddy. You set your mom up. She goes to jail. You get all the things.

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 avoid wasting 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 brink of reduce Scott off financially.

Melody Farris: Gary had made it very well-known that Scott wanted to get a job. … Issues had been fixing to vary 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, depart some work for me,” you understand? ‘Trigger he wasn’t there in the course of the week. … He’s like, “effectively, do not reduce the pasture but. 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 stated 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: It’s important to take a look at the timing of the assertion. … She has nothing to lose. She’s gonna … make all types of off-the-wall claims at this level which can be 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: At some point you imagine you’ll stroll a free girl once more.

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

Peter Van Sant: And for many who imagine you bought precisely what you deserved, you say?

Melody Farris: I did not 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 did not work out for you.

Scott Farris: I nonetheless have not been in a position to determine why she would do that. I do not know if I ever will.

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

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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 manager story editor. Judy Tygard is the manager producer.