CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. — One year to the day after the burned remains of Gary Farris were discovered at his Cherokee County home, his wife, Melody, was told there's enough evidence for a murder trial.
It was back in July 2018 when Gary's remains were found on their property. Melody appeared in court Friday for a hearing.
Det. Daniel Hayes testified investigators found ash and blood on some of her clothes.
However, it was a late night phone call to her alleged lover, Rusty Barton, that led to her arrest.Barton told investigators he spoke with Farris the night before Gary's remains were found, he said she told him, "He's on the burn pile," Hayes testified.
"Rusty said, 'What?' 'He's on the burn pile,'" Hayes said, describing Barton's conversations.
Gary and Melody Farris were married for 38 years. But investigators said it was a strained relationship for years.The married couple lived on separate floors on their home. They hadn't slept in the same bedroom for years.
Melody allegedly began an affair with Barton several years ago. Often, the pair met several times a week.
"They would meet at a hotel in Dalton, spend the day together, and then both drive home," Hayes said.
Hayes testified that Melody used multiple "burner" phones to communicate secretly with her lover.
Investigators discovered a bullet lodged in Gary Farris' ribs. A spent bullet was found in the basement. Gary's blood was all over the house. To this day, the gun has never been found.
"There are a lot of things that are not in," said Melody Farris's attorney, Michael Ray, referring to the evidence in the case, "there are a lot of things that are missing. And there are a lot of things, frankly, they didn't find."
"I believe, just like she told me when I first met her, that she's 100 percent innocent of these charges," Ray said.
Det. Hayes testified the married couple had fought the night she allegedly killed him. Hayes said Gary Farris, a successful attorney, controlled the finances.
Melody Farris complained to investigators that she had to ask her husband for permission to spend any money.
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