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According to prosecutors in their opening statements, money was the motive for this murder. Next, Melody Farris' defense delivered their opening remarks to the jury. They claimed police acted on confirmation bias when they allegedly narrowed erroneously on the defendant for the death of her husband, Gary. A complicated family coupled with a complicated police investigation all led to fingers pointing at Melody Farris for first-degree murder.
S1, EP45 "First Infidelity Then Murder"
The first of two of Melody Farris' Lovers testified against her. During the latter years in her marriage to Gary, the defendant allegedly stepped out on her late husband and carried on at least two different sexual affairs. Next, more details on the forensic science of the crime scene were divulged to the jury. This time it was a firearm expert who examined the bullet fragments recovered from the Farris family 10-acre farm.
S1, EP46 "Firearm Examination"
A State gun examiner explained to the jury the firearms and bullet projectiles she analyzed. They were retrieved from the family property where Gary Farris was found dead. Investigators believed he was fatally shot at the farm and his body dragged into a burning pile of debris. Even though a murder weapon in this fatal shooting was never found investigators did conclude the exact bullet projectile make the killer used.
S1, EP47 "The Legal Assistant And The Affair"
Jurors listened to testimony from the defendant's husband's assistant-turned-lover. Infidelity played a role in the turbulent marriage of the Farris'. Both sides allegedly committed long-term sexual affairs. Angela Phillips admitted to the jury that over time their relationship turned from professional to romantic. This became complicated when Phillips became friends with Melody and her daughters.
S1, EP48 "The Law Firm"
According to Gary Farris' legal assistant, he believed his wife, Melody, was poisoning him. Angela Phillips noted how sick Gary was before he was killed. He kept getting spells that forced him to get checked by a doctor for possible poisoning. A co-worker and a good friend of Gary's took the stand. Patrick Clarke explained to jurors the capital contribution process for an equity partner in the law firm they worked at.
S1, EP44 "Autopsy Report"
The thorough but limited autopsy report was explained to jurors. Forensic pathologist Dr. Stephen Atkinson admitted how hard it was to find out how physically Gary Farris died because his remains were so burnt up. A process of elimination was the way he concluded the manner of death. Dr. Atkinson claimed Gary's remains showed no signs of a natural death, accidental death nor suicide. So, only homicide and undetermined were the only classifications left.
S1, EP43 "Georgia Bureau Of Investigation"
Agents from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation dominated testimony. Prosecutors wanted to show jurors that key Crime Scene evidence analyzed had Melody Farris's DNA on them. This went along with the state's Theory on how Gary was killed. His wife shot him and then moved his body to a PURN pile in attempt to get rid of any signs of his remains. Finding and linking Melody Farris' DNA on the tractor and a bullet inside the home was more proof that she was involved in this murder.
S1, EP42 "DNA Analysis"
The jury learned more about how much bloodstains and where exactly they were found at the Farris family farm where Gary lost his life. On the stand were crime scene investigators who processed and examined the different bloodstains and smears uncovered. A forensic expert from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation testified on her DNA and Blood analysis in this homicide case. The State wanted experts to break down key pieces of physical evidence linked to the shooting death of Gary Farris.
S1, EP41 "Blue Star"
Prosecutors turned jurors' attention back to the crime scene where Gary Farris charred remains were found. Investigators had to scour the entire 10-acre family farm to figure out what exactly happened. Traces of blood was the focus for these crime scene investigators searching the Farris family home. While Gary's corpse was found in a burn pile outside, police came across key physical evidence inside the house, which included bloodstains and bullet fragments.
