Unveiling the True Story of Velma Barfield: Life, Crimes, and the Ultimate Punishment

A Notorious Serial Poisoner

Velma Barfield, born Velma Margie Bullard on October 12, 1932, in Cedartown, Georgia, became one of the most infamous serial poisoners in American history. Her chilling crimes and the subsequent investigation that unraveled her sinister plot left an indelible mark on the annals of true crime. This comprehensive account delves into the life of Velma Barfield, exploring her background, the victims she left behind, the investigation that brought her to justice, and the ultimate punishment she faced.

Early Life and Background

Velma's early life was marked by a series of unfortunate events. Her parents divorced when she was young, and her mother remarried an abusive man. Velma eventually dropped out of high school and married Thomas Burke in 1949, but the union ended in divorce just five years later. In 1958, she married Jennings Barfield, who became her accomplice in her later crimes.

Death Sentence: The True Story of Velma Barfield's Life, Crimes, and Punishment

by Jerry Bledsoe

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6462 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	473 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The Poisonous Plot

Velma Barfield's reign of terror began in 1970 when she poisoned her own mother, Lillian Bullard. Over the next several years, she targeted and killed numerous individuals, including her husband Jennings, her fiancé, and several elderly people in her community. Her motive was often financial gain, as she collected insurance policies or stole money from her victims.

Velma's method of killing was particularly insidious. She used arsenic, a colorless and tasteless poison, to slowly and painfully extinguish her victims' lives. The arsenic caused severe vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, mimicking the symptoms of natural illnesses. This allowed Velma to evade detection for a time.

Victims of Velma Barfield

Velma Barfield's victims spanned a wide range of individuals, including family members, friends, and acquaintances. Here are some of the most notable victims:

• Lillian Bullard (mother): Poisoned in 1970.
• Jennings Barfield (husband): Poisoned in 1974.
• Thomas Burke (ex-husband): Poisoned in 1976.
• Dorothy Barfield (mother-in-law): Poisoned in 1977.
• Montgomery Barfield (brother-in-law): Poisoned in 1978.
• John Henry Lee (fiancé): Poisoned in 1978.

The Investigation and Arrest

As Velma Barfield's victims continued to mount, suspicion began to fall on her. Law enforcement authorities noticed a pattern in the deaths, with multiple individuals dying from similar symptoms within Velma's circle of acquaintances. An investigation was launched, and it soon focused on Velma as the prime suspect.

In 1979, Velma Barfield was arrested and charged with three counts of murder. She initially denied the allegations but eventually confessed to poisoning her victims. Her confession shocked the community and sent shivers down the spines of those who had known her.

Trial and Conviction

Velma Barfield's trial was a highly publicized and sensational event. Prosecutors presented a mountain of evidence against her, including her own confession and forensic analysis linking her to the victims' deaths. Velma's defense attorneys argued that she was mentally ill and not responsible for her actions, but the jury rejected this claim.

In 1982, Velma Barfield was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death. She became the first woman in Georgia to receive the death penalty since 1939.

Execution and Aftermath

Velma Barfield spent the next 17 years on death row, appealing her conviction and sentence. However, all of her appeals were rejected. On January 29, 1990, she was executed by lethal injection at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison. Velma Barfield's execution brought closure to the families of her victims, but it also left a lasting legacy of fear and fascination.

A Chilling True Crime Tale

The story of Velma Barfield is a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk within seemingly ordinary individuals. Her crimes, motivated by greed and a lack of empathy, left an enduring scar on the communities she inhabited. The investigation and trial that brought her to justice revealed the depths of her depravity and the lengths she would go to for personal gain.

Velma Barfield's case remains one of the most notorious true crime stories in American history, a tale that continues to captivate and horrify audiences today. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need to protect the innocent from those who would prey upon them.

Death Sentence: The True Story of Velma Barfield's Life, Crimes, and Punishment

by Jerry Bledsoe

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6462 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	473 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE