Trial of Cherokee County wife accused of murdering husband, burning corpse

Melody Farris on trial for murder, burning body

The trial of the woman accused of killing her husband and burning his body continues in Cherokee County. Prosecutors claim Melody Farris was the only one with the motive and opportunity to kill her husband, Gary Farris. But the defense says there’s too many unanswered questions to convict.

The Brief

- Melody Farris is on trial in Cherokee County for allegedly killing her husband Gary and burning his body, with prosecutors citing motive and opportunity.
- Son Scott Farris discovered Gary's remains in July 2018 and testified that his mother's emotional reaction seemed insincere to him.
- The prosecution presents a history of marital issues, financial arguments, affairs, and incriminating comments by Melody as evidence of her guilt.
- Defense attorneys suggest an alternative suspect, hinting at Scott owning .38 caliber ammunition, although he denies involvement in his father's death.
- The trial faces tension as Scott defends his character against insinuations that he was financially dependent on his parents, with Melody facing multiple charges including malice murder. Trial to resume next week.

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. - The trial of the Cherokee County woman accused of killing her husband and burning his body is underway.

Prosecutors claim Melody Farris was the only one with the motive and opportunity to kill her husband Gary Farris, but the defense says there are too many unanswered questions to convict.

"I walk up and look, and I start seeing bones," said Scott Farris, the son of the victim and defendant.

Scott told a Cherokee County jury Friday that he is the one who made the gruesome discovery in July 2018 that his dad, Gary, was dead in a burn pile on the family property. He testified his mom only showed emotion once investigators told them it was human remains.

"I've seen my mother cry," Scott said. "Hundreds of times throughout my life and it appeared to me to be fake."

Scott testified that he believed there were red flags before Gary died. Melody and Gary were married for more than three decades, but prosecutors say they had issues and had argued about finances at the time of the alleged murder.

"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," Scott said.

Melody's attorney is seemingly trying to pin Gary's death on one of the sons. Earlier in the week, he said Scott was the only one that owned .38 caliber ammunition. Scott told the jury he did not kill his dad.

"Like I said, I love my father, he was the backbone," Scott said through tears.

During cross-examination, the defense tried to paint Scott as someone who just lived off his parents. Scott disputes that and says he worked for them, taking care of their livestock.

"She thought you were a mooch," the defense attorney said.

"I guess in her eyes, yeah," Scott responded.

"Because you were a mooch," the defense attorney replied.

"No, I wasn’t," Scott fired back.

Melody faces several charges including malice murder.

The trial will continue next week.