Deputies: Video Shows Man Dancing After Killing Dad, 93
Suspect Sang 'Papa Was A Rollin' Stone,' Deputies Say
POSTED: Wednesday, January 7, 2009
UPDATED: 12:57 pm EST January 7,
2009
PLANT CITY, Fla. -- Authorities on Wednesday released video from an upscale Plant City hotel dining room that shows a man dancing and singing hours after he allegedly shot and killed his 93-year-old father.
Robert Farley was arrested Jan. 3 in the New Year's Eve death of his father, Walter Farley.
According to Polk County sheriff's deputies, Robert Farley is seen on the video, that was recorded at the Red Rose Inn Dec. 31, singing the Temptations' song "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone." Lyrics from the song include the words "Papa was a rollin' stone ... wherever he laid his hat was his home ... and when he died, all he left us was alone."
"This was an unfortunate and bizarre murder from the beginning," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. "And when you see Robert Farley dancing and singing this song, of all songs, after having just murdered his father, it just becomes even more bizarre."
Robert Farley and his wife checked into the Red Rose Inn around 6 p.m. Dec. 31, deputies said. When his wife took a nap, Robert Farley drove to his father's Lakeland home, where Robert Farley and his wife also lived, and shot and killed his father, deputies said. Robert Farley changed clothes, threw the gun in Lake Wire, and drove back to the Red Rose Inn by 7:30 p.m., according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies said Robert Farley then celebrated New Year's Eve in the dining room with his wife, as seen in the video.
The Red Rose Inn provides dinner and entertainment annually on New Year's Eve, deputies said.
The gun used in the shooting was recovered by deputies in Lake Wire, which is located in downtown Lakeland, after authorities interviewed Robert Farley, deputies said.
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