Trial to Resume Monday for Georgia Woman Charged with Murdering and Incinerating Husband

Melody Farris appears in court.

Jury deliberations are set to resume Monday in the trial of a Georgia woman accused of murdering her husband and incinerating his remains on their property.

Melody Walker Farris faces multiple charges, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, concealing the death of another, and making a false statement regarding the death of her husband, Gary Farris, who was a well-known attorney in the Atlanta area.

The couple was married for 38 years and resided on a working farm in Alpharetta that spanned approximately 10 acres. They lived together in the main house while one of their four adult children occupied an apartment above the barn.

On July 5, 2018, deputies from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of human remains found in a fire on their property. Initial investigations suggested that Gary might have suffered a medical issue before falling into the flames. However, suspicions arose when authorities discovered a .38 caliber bullet lodged in one of Gary's rib bones—a bullet that did not match any weapons found during subsequent searches of the property.

Documents reviewed by investigators indicated that Melody and Gary's marriage had significant issues; Gary had filed for divorce in February 2010, though the petition was dismissed later that year.

Initially, Melody denied having any extramarital affairs when questioned by investigators but later claimed her affair with Roy ‘Rusty’ Barton had ended a year prior to her husband's death. Investigators determined this statement was untrue and subsequently arrested her in Tullahoma, Tennessee, where she had been staying with Barton.

Prosecutors allege that at the time of the murder, financial disputes were escalating between Melody and Gary, particularly concerning his refusal to provide her with money while instead supporting their adult children.