Watch S1, EP21: Getting Personal On The Stand with Fubo
Cross-examination began on the oldest child of Gary and Melody Farris. Melody's defense team wanted to poke holes in the family drama which the State claims was the motive for her to kill her husband, Gary, of 38 years. But, things got personal with Chris Farris on the stand. He admitted that he struggled with alcohol addiction which affected his relationship with his family.
Cross-examination began on the oldest child of Gary and Melody Farris. Melody's defense team wanted to poke holes in the family drama which the State claims was the motive for her to kill her husband, Gary, of 38 years. But, things got personal with Chris Farris on the stand. He admitted that he struggled with alcohol addiction which affected his relationship with his family.
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Burn Pile Murder Trial
S1, EP26 "Mountain Dews And Cigarettes"A key witness for the State gave more insight into the messy family life of the Farris'. Scott Farris explained his childhood years growing up and the day he came across the corpse of his father. Mountain Dews and cigarettes were Gary Farris' daily addictions before he died, according to both his sons who testified. Prosecutors wanted to make clear to jurors that health issues were not the culprit that led to his remains being found in a burn pile on his property.
Burn Pile Murder Trial
S1, EP27 "The Family's Finances"Jurors learned about the lavish lifestyle of the Farris family. On the stand, Scott Farris, the youngest son of Gary and Melody, recalled how Melody liked to shop and had full access to the family account until months before the murder. The financial arrangement between her husband, Gary, and their youngest son was made clear to jurors. From the time they bought the 10-acre family farm, Scott was living and working as a farmhand.
Burn Pile Murder Trial
S1, EP28 "The Son And The Family's Farmhand"On the stand, Scott Farris explained to the jury how his father, Gary, operated and managed the burn pile on the family farm. It was there where his charred remains were found. Later in their deliberations, the jury would have to weigh heavily Scott's alibi that July 4th holiday. He was living and working on the property where his father was killed and then later buried in this burn pile. The Defense wanted to raise any evidence that pointed to Scott to exonerate Melody Farris for malice murder.
Burn Pile Murder Trial
S1, EP29 "The Family Search And 911 Call"It was the second day of the defendant's youngest son testifying against her. Scott Farris broke down details of those weeks leading up to his father, Gary's, shooting death. Scott emotionally recalled coming across his father's remains while the family was looking all around for him and immediately calling 911. He also recalled how his mother, the defendant, was faking her emotions when Gary's corpse was discovered.
Burn Pile Murder Trial
S1, EP25 "Scott Farris"The defendant's second son testified against her. Melody Farris' defense team have hinted to the jury that it was Scott, the military veteran, who was the actual shooter in Gary's death on the family farm. According to investigators, Scott immediately recognized his father's corpse. Why? He was in the military and saw plenty of deceased bodies and decomposing human remains during his three tours in Iraq.
Burn Pile Murder Trial
S1, EP24 "The Son's Ex-Wife"Prosecutors accusing Melody Farris of first-degree murder brought in her son's ex-wife in their case. They wanted to show jurors more perspective on that fateful July Fourth holiday when Gary was fatally shot and later buried in a burn pile. Jenna Pawlowski was asked a series of specific questions in the days leading up to Gary Farris' death on his property.
Burn Pile Murder Trial
S1, EP23 "Family Matters"Cross-examination continued on the eldest child in the Farris home. The Defense raised doubts in the state's case against her, claiming other people in the family had issues and their own motivations to have Gary Farris killed. Who would benefit from his death? If the defendant, Melody, who was the beneficiary of his life insurance, 401(k) and the family farm, were convicted of his murder, technically her oldest son, Chris, would get everything.
Burn Pile Murder Trial
S1, EP22 "Family Drama"Family drama was the aim for Melody Farris' defense during their cross-examination of her oldest son. After all, the problems at home were what the prosecution team claimed led her to shoot and kill her husband and then burn and bury his body. Jurors learned about the problems in the Farris household over the years. Chris, the oldest child, admitted to issues like theft of money among family members, alcohol addiction and mental disorders.
