She told investigators she last saw her husband on July 3, 2018. But Melody Farris knew exactly where to find the prominent Atlanta attorney.
Gary Farris had been shot by his wife in their Cherokee County home, investigators later determined. Melody Farris then tried to hide the murder by leaving Farris on a burn pile, where he was later found by his own son.
In December, Melody Farris was sentenced to life in prison plus five years after a jury convicted her on all charges, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, concealing the death of another and making a false statement. There was finally justice for Gary Farris, the Cherokee County district attorney said.
The Farris homicide will be the focus of NBC’s “Dateline,” reported by correspondent Keith Morrison and airing at 9 p.m. Friday.
The case dates back several years to when Gary Farris was reported missing. And though his wife became the only suspect, it would take more than six years before a jury convicted Melody Farris.
“In July 2018, a horrific murder occurred in Cherokee County,” said District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway in a statement after the November conviction. “A man was shot, then left on a burn pile, where his remains were later discovered. The victim, Gary Farris, was killed by his wife on his own property. The shocking facts of this crime will forever remain with all who were involved in this case, including first responders, prosecutors, jurors and witnesses. Today, through this verdict, we are able to finally bring justice for Gary Farris.”
It was the couple’s youngest son who found his father’s remains on the family property. It would take weeks for authorities to determine that the extensively burned remains belonged to the 58-year-old man, an attorney for the regional law firm Burr and Forman and the founder of its Atlanta office.
Early in the investigation, deputies felt confident Gary Farris had known his killer.
DNA and Melody Farris’ own confession to the man she was seeing on the side ultimately led investigators to their suspect.
“He’s on the burn pile,” she allegedly told Rusty Barton, her Tennessee love interest at the time. Cherokee sheriff’s office Detective Daniel Hayes testified about the phone call and other jarring details during a probable cause hearing after her arrest.
In November 2019, Farris was granted a $250,000 bond and was out of jail until her conviction. She’s now serving at Arrendale State Prison in Habersham County, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections.
As part of her sentence, Melody Farris does have the possibility of parole, court records show. She must serve a minimum of 30 years in order to be considered for parole, the judge ruled.
