GA Woman Convicted Of Fatally Burning Husband Blames Son For The Killing In New Show

CANTON, GA — A Cherokee County woman, jailed for burning her husband to death, is proclaiming her innocence months after she was sentenced to life in prison for his killing, per a recent episode of "48 Hours."

A recent episode of the popular crime show featured Melody Farris, who was sentenced by a judge in December to life plus five years in prison in connection with the death of husband Gary Farris, 58.

"I didn't do it," Melody Farris said in a transcript of the show, which premiered Saturday on CBS under the title "The Farris Wheel." "I did not do it."

The couple had been married for 38 years and had four children, one of which managed operations on their 10-acre farm and who discovered his father's bones among ashes, CBS News reported.

Melody Farris was convicted on Oct. 30, 2024 of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, concealing the death of another and making a false statement. The murder trial lasted for 18 days in Cherokee.

Gary Farris was shot and left on a burn pile, where his remains were found, in July 2018 at his property, Cherokee County District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway said in the past. She added the burn pile was located 100 yards from a Purcell Lane home.

Before his remains were identified, Treadaway said Gary Farris was considered missing.

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Melody Farris told detectives that the fire was ignited by her husband in the days before the discovery. She told them he had medical issues, "suggesting a medical emergency or accidental death," Treadaway said in the past.

After a bullet was found lodged in Gary Farris' rib cage, and a spent bullet was found in his home, Treadaway said foul play was suspected in his death. Blood spots were located on the home's basement floor and steps, she said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Crime Lab determined Gary Farris' DNA was found on the spent bullet, Treadaway said.

Melody Farris was allegedly after her husband's multimillion-dollar assets and had a desire to live her life with her-then lover, her cousin's stepson who she had been intimate with for four years, prosecutors said, CBS reported.

"I knew nothing about our financial situation," she said in "48 Hours." "Absolutely nothing."

Three of the Farris' four children believed their mother was guilty, while the youngest daughter thought otherwise, CBS reported.

Defense attorneys for Melody Farris tried to sway the jury into believing it was the Farris' son that killed his father to take over the family's property.

But the jury returned a guilty verdict, and she was sentenced to prison. CBS reported she could be considered for parole at 94-years-old.

"I want everyone, but especially my children, my grandchildren, and at this point, the world, I didn't do this," she said in "48 Hours." "I know who did. And it's our son ... without a shadow of a doubt. I know he did it."

The son maintained his mother killed his father, according to the show's transcript.

Melody Farris' episode of "48 Hours" is available to stream or via CBS News.