Georgia woman Melody Farris has been found guilty in the burn pile murder trial. After a three-week trial, several days of deliberation, and a deadlocked jury, they eventually returned with a guilty verdict. On November 4, 2024, Melody Farris was convicted of felony and malice murder of her husband, Gary Farris. Following the guilty verdict, Farris was taken into police custody after being out on bail since originally being charged. A sentencing date is not set but is expected to occur in December 2024.
Murder and Charges
Melody Farris and her husband, Gary Farris, were married for 38 years. They lived on a large property in Alpharetta, Georgia. One of their adult children lived in an apartment above their barn while they lived in the main house. On July 5, 2018, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a report from the son, Scott Farris, that he found his father’s remains in a pile of ashes. Authorities initially assumed it was an accident, and Gary fell into the fire. However, upon further investigation, they found a .38 caliber bullet lodged in his ribs. That was enough evidence to declare his death a homicide and open an official investigation.
Melody Farris was arrested in 2019 in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Investigators were able to tell that something was off with her. The Farris’ marriage was already on thin ice, to begin with, and his death pointed straight to Melody. It did not take much effort for them to uncover who her current affair partner was and what she would gain from her husband’s death. The married couple allegedly had financial problems and constantly argued about them. If her husband died, she would claim a high life insurance policy. Once Melody Farris was arrested, she was charged with malice and felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, concealing the death of another, and making false statements.
Testimony
Scott Farris testified on behalf of the prosecution. During his testimony, he stated, “Her history of having affairs and doing all the shady stuff that she’s done, and especially her making the comment, I can’t wait for the day he’s dead, and I don’t have to live with him anymore.” At one point, the defense attempted to pin the murder on Scott, but he denied those claims, stating he did not kill his father nor assist in covering it up. During cross-examination, they tried to paint him as a mooch and someone who wanted Gary Farris’ life insurance money. However, the prosecution argued that Melody Farris was the only one with a true motive to commit murder.
The burn pile murder trial lasted for approximately three weeks. Jurors listened to testimony from 37 witnesses and experts. The prosecution rested their case 15 days in while the defense continued for the next 3 days. They brought in several witnesses who testified to their argument that the son committed the murder. When deliberations began, the jury was unsure of which way to lean. They ended up deadlocked and requested to review more digital evidence. Judge David Cannon Jr. replied, “I don’t know if there’s anything to tell them other than all the evidence is in….it’s for them to determine whether they have those things in the evidence.”
Final Thoughts
On Monday, November 4, 2024, the jury reached a verdict. The jury foreman read the verdict in the courtroom on day 21 of the trial. They found Melody Farris guilty of all charges brought against her. You can see an emotionless Farris as he reads through all five counts. She remained stoic as they took her into custody. She is expected to appear for sentencing in December; however, a hearing has yet to be scheduled. Melody Farris is facing life in prison and possibly no chance of parole.
