Allocution allows someone convicted of a crime to speak at their sentencing hearing. For some, it's an opportunity to express remorse for their actions. Others may throw themselves upon the mercy of the court, hoping to influence the judge to give them a lighter sentence.
In the case of convicted husband-murderer Melody Walker Farris, it was time to unleash a prolonged rant accusing her son of being the actual killer. The wife, mother, and grandmother waited until allocution to speak in court, but her words didn't appear to sway the judge.
On December 5, 2024, Georgia Superior Court Judge David Cannon Jr. sentenced Farris to life in prison for shooting her husband and burning his body. An additional five years were added for other charges. This completed an almost six-year journey to achieve justice for "Big Daddy" Gary Farris.
Not Your Usual 4th of July Barbeque
Despite four adult kids, several grandchildren, and a 10-acre farm as their residence, wealthy commercial real estate attorney Gary Farris and his wife Melody didn't have a rosy relationship. Married for 38 years, they slept in separate bedrooms. Melody had engaged in extramarital affairs and in 2018 was involved with Rusty Benton, a farm equipment salesman from Tennessee.
On July 3, 2018, both Melody and her son Scott each claimed to have seen Farris alive for what would be the last time. One of them wasn't being truthful. Scott returned home late that evening from a day spent with friends and noticed a glow on the property in the area used as a burn pile. Melody said she'd spoken to Farris about getting his own dinner before he went to his bedroom in the basement.
It wasn't until July 5, when visiting grandchildren couldn't find Farris, that the household became aware he was missing. During a family search of the property, Scott found bones in the burn pile. While at first the thought was that perhaps Farris had suffered a medical emergency while burning yard waste, a police forensic team discovered a bullet lodged in one of the ribs.
It was now a murder investigation. Scott and Melody immediately pointed fingers at one another. The family split into bitter rivals, with Scott and two siblings noting Melody's ongoing affair and caustic attitude toward Farris. Melody and daughter Amanda insisted Scott, who had military experience and a collection of guns, had motive and opportunity.
It would be almost a year later before Melody would be charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, concealing the death of another, and making a false statement.
The Sounds of Silence
The murder weapon, a .38 pistol, has not been found. With Farris' blood and a spent bullet that matched the one in his rib found in the house, prosecutors had to present a plausible explanation on how a relatively small 58-year-old woman got her husband's 300-pound body across fifty yards to the burn pile. With all-terrain vehicles and a tractor with a bucket available, prosecutors insisted the 130-pound woman had her choice of methods.
Phone records confirmed that Benton wasn't there, but he told police that his conversation with her on July 4th included Melody saying, "He's in the burn pile." While Melody downplayed the seriousness of her relationship with Benton, he admitted they'd been shopping for wedding rings and discussing life after she'd gotten away from Farris.
Five years after Farris' murder, the case finally went to trial. Melody's lawyers focused on presenting Scott as a viable suspect, but she neither took the stand in her own defense nor said a word during the trial proceedings. Evidence showing Farris' phone moving on July 4th, when Melody was the only person on the farm, sealed the deal for the jury. After three days of deliberation, they returned a guilty verdict for all charges.
Farris found her voice during the sentencing phase. She lashed out at Scott, claiming she'd taken the blame because her mother had told her it was the right thing to do. The judge had to interrupt her harangue before announcing her punishment.
With a sentence of life for the murder, Melody will be eligible for parole in 30 years. As she'd be 94 when that date arrives, a delayed wedding with Rusty Benton seems improbable.
Related Resources
- Types of Criminal Sentences (FindLaw's Criminal Procedure)
- What Are the Rules of Evidence? (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)
- Should You Take the Stand in Your Own Defense? (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
