Wife Sentenced For Murder In GA Husband's Burning Death

CANTON, GA — Melody Walker Farris, a Cherokee County woman convicted of burning her husband to death, has been sentenced to life in prison in connection with his killing.

Cherokee County District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway said Melody Farris, 64, was sentenced on Thursday to life plus five years in prison in connection with the death of Gary Farris, 58.

Melody Farris also cannot have contact with family members, excluding anyone who wishes to remain in contact with her, Treadaway said.

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

At her sentencing, Treadaway said one of Gary Farris' children read a victim impact statement that read in part:

“We ask this court to consider the gravity of this crime, the devastating impact it has had on our family, and to ensure that justice is served. No sentence can bring our father back, but a just punishment can offer a semblance of closure and prevent another family from experiencing this unimaginable pain.”

Melody Farris and two friends spoke on her behalf at the sentencing, Treadaway said.

“The disturbing facts of this case, complex investigation and long prosecution have taken the focus away from the fact that an innocent man was brutally murdered and burned on his own property,” Treadaway said in a news release. “A good man was lost on that day, and a family was forever divided. This horrifying crime will remain with us always. Our hope is that this sentence will bring some measure of peace.”

What Happened?

Gary Farris was shot and left on a burn pile, where his remains were found, in July 2018 at his property, 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.

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.

A motive for the fatal shooting and subsequent burning was not released.