Jennings Barfield, a 54-year-old white male, died on March 22, 1971, from heart complications. His death was initially attributed to natural causes, but subsequent investigations revealed a more sinister truth. Jennings was married to Velma Barfield, who would later become infamous as a serial killer known as the 'Death Row Granny.' Velma Barfield, born Margie Velma Bullard, was a white female who had a history of troubled relationships and a growing addiction to prescription drugs.
Velma's first husband, Thomas Burke, died in a house fire in 1969, which raised suspicions but did not lead to any immediate legal action against her. After marrying Jennings Barfield in 1970, Velma's life continued to be marked by tragedy and criminal activity. Less than a year into their marriage, Jennings began experiencing severe health issues. On March 21, 1971, Velma poisoned Jennings with arsenic-based rat poison, causing him to struggle to breathe. He was taken to the hospital, where he died 24 hours later from heart complications.
The true nature of Jennings Barfield's death remained hidden for several years. Velma continued her pattern of poisoning those close to her, including her own mother and several elderly patients she was hired to care for. Her crimes were eventually uncovered in 1978 when authorities found arsenic in the remains of one of her lovers. This discovery led to a deeper investigation into Velma's past, revealing the extent of her murderous activities.
Velma Barfield was arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder. She confessed to the murders of Jennings Barfield, her mother Lillian Bullard, and several others. Velma was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. She was executed by lethal injection on November 2, 1984, becoming the first woman in the United States to be executed after the resumption of capital punishment in 1976 and the first woman to be executed by lethal injection.
The case of Jennings Barfield's death is a chilling reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk within seemingly ordinary lives. Velma Barfield's ability to maintain a facade of normalcy while committing such heinous acts highlights the complexities of human behavior and the importance of thorough investigations in uncovering the truth.
