Velma Barfield - The Death Row Granny

All the family celebrated Christmas together. During one of those celebrations Lillie consulted with one of her sons about a collection letter she kept receiving for an overdue car payment. Lillie's car was paid in full and had been for years and she did not understand why she was getting the letter. Her son reassured her that it was a billing mix-up. Within days after Christmas Lillie's illness returned, stronger then before, and the frail and weakened Lillie died.

In 1975 Velma received a six-month prison sentence for writing bad checks. After her release she got a job as a caregiver to an elderly couple, 91-year-old Montgomery Edward and his 84-year-old wife, Dollie. At first all was going well, but within six months Dollie was complaining that Velma was lazy and inattentive. In January 1977 Montgomery died and Velma stayed on to help Dollie. By February Dollie was also dead, after developing a painful stomach virus.

Velma's next job was with 80-year-old John Henry Lee and his 76-year-old wife, Record, who had a broken leg and needed assitance. Velma moved into the Lumberton home and as with the Edwards, everything was fine for a while, but soon soured. Record's constant chatter grated on Velma's nerves and when a mysterious forged check showed up in Record's bank statement, her endless talk increased. During April and May, John Henry battled a severe stomach virus finally causing his death in early June.

In 1977 Velma moved in with her 56-year-old boyfriend, Stuart Taylor. Taylor was a widower and a tobacco farmer who enjoyed Velma's company. He was aware of her criminal past but knowing what a devout Christian she was he figured she had just fallen off the path for a short time. Still, with her speckled past of drug use and forgery, Taylor was not interested in marrying 46-year-old Velma.

Taylor and Velma spent much of their social time attending church activities. When the famous preacher, Rex Humbard, was holding a revival meeting in Fayetteville, the two decided to make the trip. During the revival Taylor began having severe stomach cramps and had to leave to go lay down in his truck. He was in severe pain and his condition worsened. Within days Stuart Taylor was dead and confused doctors recommended an autopsy.

Before autopsy reports were completed, Lumberton Police Detective Benson Phillips received an anonymous call from a distraught woman who reluctantly identified herself as Velma Barfield's sister. In tear-choked words she told the detective that Velma killed Taylor and others. Lumberton knew of no one murdered in town but his curiosity was stirred. At the same time, Taylor's daughter was pressuring the doctors to give her answers on what killed her father so quickly.

Dr. Andrews called North Carolina's chief medical examiner, Page Hudson, to discuss the details of Stuart's illness. Hudson was quick to identify arsenic as the most likely reason and Velma as the person who probably administered it. When authorities questioned Velma she insisted she would never do anything so horrible. However, later that week, she quietly confessed to her son Ronnie, that she only meant to make Stuart sick. Ronnie insisted Velma go to the police and tell the truth.

Velma Barfield ended up confessing to killing the Edwards, John Henry Lee, and her mother, Lillie Burke. She said her reason for killing them was to cover up the fact that she had stolen money from them to support her drug use. Prosecutor Joe Freeman Britt was a fierce capital punishment advocate and wanted Velma tried on first-degree murder of Stuart Taylor.

Velma's lawyer, Bob Jacobson had the arduous task of tyring to get a reduced charge of second-degree murder. He used the defense that Velma only meant to make Stuart Taylor ill so she could return stolen money without being caught and that her judgment was marred from her long-term drug addiction. When the judge allowed information about the other victims to be admitted in court, Jacobson knew he was in trouble and so was Velma.

Britt was a tough prosecutor and immediately set out to show the real Velma to the jury. His strategy worked and he rattled Velma's attempts to remain composed. Her anger and arrogance flared during cross-examination. Velma argued that it was old age, not her poison, that killed everyone. Her lack of remorse was awarded with a verdict of guilty and she was sentenced to death.

In prison she became a born-again Christian and her list of supporters who objected to her execution grew, including evangelist Billy Graham. Velma also discovered she was a skilled counselor and helped inmates adjust to their prison existence. She co-wrote a book, Woman on Death Row, a collection of her memoirs.

As her execution date approached, she admitting to other murders she committed including Stuart Thomas and Jennings Barfield.

Velma resigned herself to the fact that her execution was imminent. She stopped all appeals and was quoted as saying "When I go into that chamber at 2.00 a.m. it's my gateway to heaven."

The Execution of Velma Barfield: Dressed in pink pajamas and an adult diaper, she settled on the gurney without a struggle. Two IV drips were inserted into her arms. Three volunteers were selected to administer the lethal drug. Only two had the pancuronium bromide, preventing them from ever knowing if they had the drug that killed Velma.

Velma Barfield's Final Words: "I want to say that I am sorry for all the hurt that I have caused," she began in a firm voice. "I know that everybody has gone through a lot of pain - all the families connected - and I am sorry, and I want to thank everybody who has been supporting me all these six years. I want to thank my family for standing with me through all this and my attorneys and all the support to me, everybody, the people with the prison department. I appreciate everything - their kindness and everything that they have shown me during these six years."

Part One - Velma Barfield

^{Source:
Death Sentence: The True Story of Velma Barfield's Life, Crimes, and Punishment by Jerry Bledsoe
The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers By Michael Newton
Women Who Kill by Ann Jones}