An Alabama teenager was jailed for 50 years for killing his doctor’s father’s new fiancée in a rage after his dad got engaged to the woman just 11 months after the teen’s mom died.
Ross McFarland, 18, on May 26, 2022, pled guilty to the killing of his doctor father’s new fiancee, Martha Jones ‘Marti’ White, 66, on October 17, 2019, in rage after his father got engaged to the woman just 11 months after the teen’s mother died. He was 16 at the time of the killing.
Officials in Lee County said McFarland harbored animosity toward the woman who got engaged to his father, Dr. John McFarland, just 11 months after his mother’s death and this led to the killing of the woman by the teen.
During the sentencing, Ross admitted to thinking about killing his father, Dr. John McFarland, a prominent east Alabama physician, and White for several months before the actual shooting took place at the family’s home along Burke Place in Auburn.
Ross’s mother Donna McFarland was a scientist who died in November 2018 aged just 45. She was a microbiology graduate who’d been married to John McFarland for 22 years. She had two other children besides Ross, who are called Avery and Samuel. Donna McFarland’s Facebook profile showed that her relationship status with John McFarland was separated.
After her murder, White’s daughter Elizabeth Chaisson shared a public statement online.
“‘Today, we moved closer to obtaining justice for our dear mother, Marti White. She was a faithful and committed servant to ALL the children in her life, from her countless numbers of young students to her beloved family, children, and precious grandchildren,” said Chaisson. “She dedicated her life to loving and showing compassion to those who needed it most. To the end of her life, she sacrificed herself to help children in need. While we know this is a step towards earthly justice, we will never know true peace and justice until we meet again.”
According to court records, investigators in their interview with Dr. McFarland discovered there was a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun missing from the home.
A witness who was a close friend of Ross McFarland told police they were in the home earlier and she witnessed him shoot White when she turned her head to look away from the teen. According to the friend, Ross McFarland picked up the shell casing and they left the scene.
Ross McFarland was arrested the following day and held without bond. Authorities said he posed a “real and present danger’’ to the public at large.
The teen, who had no prior criminal record, was previously denied youthful offender status. Ross McFarland is sentenced to 50 years in prison.
Source: AWM