An agent meticulously reconstructed more than 100 pages of what appeared to be thousands of emails sent to the Potter family. On Jan. 31, 2012, a friend of Payne and Hayworth found them dead by single gunshots to their faces. They took no medication. The 60-year-old father is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for killing Billy Payne Jr. and his girlfriend, Billie Jean Hayworth. Janelle kind of spurred it. The matriarch of a family trio convicted on two counts of first- degree murder in the so-called Facebook murders was granted a new trial after a judge ruled her trial attorney who also represented her husband at a previous trial had a conflict of interest by representing them both. From time to time, Curd would visit the Potter house to fix the family computer. The turmoil eventually led to Buddy traveling to Payne and Hayworths mobile home in Mountain City where he shot and killed both execution-style, slit Paynes throat, and left the couples 8-month-old son alive in his mothers lifeless arms. For Jenelle Potter, she will be 86 years old when shes eligible for release. For Jenelle Potter, she will be 86 years old when shes eligible for release. Case suggested by Linda MorganSuggested Reading: Too Pretty to Live: The Catfishing Murders of East Tennessee byJames Brooks, Written, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma Radio, https://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/pottermarvinopn_3.pdf, https://www.amazon.com/Too-Pretty-Live-Catfishing-Tennessee-ebook/dp/B01994PAE8, https://abcnews.go.com/US/social-media-feud-led-murder-young-tennessee-couple/story?id=34346840, https://www.thetomahawk.com/local-news/prison-guard-fired-writing-letter-judge-support-potter-women/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_City,_Tennessee, http://www.city-data.com/city/Mountain-City-Tennessee.html, https://www.wjhl.com/local/tenn-supreme-court-censures-assistant-carter-co-district-attorney-over-facebook-murders-book/1308165452, https://media.wjhl.com/nxs-wjhltv-media-us-east-1/document_dev/2018/07/17/brooks-44880-carter-county-lawyer-censured_1531864697067_48862486_ver1.0.pdf, https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Local/2016/08/12/Court-of-Criminal-Appeals-grants-stay-of-appeal-for-Jenelle-Potter, Catfishing in Mountain City, TN: The Facebook Murders. Unfortunately in today's society, despite the fact that the officer is guilty of a crime under Title 18 USC 242, depriving a citizen of his rights "under color of law", it's unlikely that anything will happen to officer McCloud, who will remain free to intimidate citizens of Johnson County,TN and abuse his authority as he sees fit. "Criminal Confessions" Mountain City, TN (TV Episode 2018) - IMDb Listen to 39: Catfishing in Mountain City, TN: The Facebook Murders, an episode of Southern Fried True Crime, easily on Podbay - the best podcast player on the web. Although Brooks is excited to have completed and published a book, hes still a prosecutor. No one wants to kill anyone but we will," Barbara Potter wrote in the email. I wanted the harassment to stop," Potter said. ", Jenelle Potter said of communicating with the supposed CIA agent Chris through email, "I thought he was someone that I was friends with in school. Barbara Potter, 69, of Mountain City, has been serving two life sentences alongside her daughter, Jenelle Potter, 38, in the Jan. 31, 2012, shooting deaths of Billy Payne, 36, and Billie Jean Hayworth, 23. Janelle kind of spurred it. For more information about the book, visit www.diversionbooks.com. US Highway 421 connects Mountain City to Bristol, Virginia in the northwest direction and to Boone, North Carolina in the southeast. Date(s) & Update Frequency: Robert Littleton was. Appearing in Washington County Court on Wednesday, Barbara Potter, 69, pleaded guilty to two counts of facilitation of . Maximum Access, Minimal Investment Pay As You Scout $29.99 per report Get Started Subscribe & Save FROM $39.99 per month See Pricing License Scout Data API Bulk Processing Flat File Explore Now Scout Before You Invest. The Mountain City TN murder/homicide rate for 2015 was 0 per 100,000 population, a NAN% decline from 2014. But Jenelle Potter said Chris was using her email to protect his identity. Washington County District Attorney's Office. Fallins argument at that trial was that Marvin Potter, convicted in 2013, had nothing to do with the murders. And they interviewed him for hours, Barbara told 20/20. When his oxygen gets low, he says things that dont make sense or are incorrect., Jenelle and Her Family Are Investigated for the Murders. The evidence was presented to the Johnson County Grand Jury and Mr. Jimmy Gale Morefield was charged with Second Degree Murder, the release reads. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. The Potter spouses ultimately did not have the same defense; Mr. Potters defense at his trial was that he did not commit the crime, but someone else did. Mountain City Crime and Safety | NewsBreak Mountain City, TN In a major breakthrough, Curd told detectives hed been texting with a man named Chris who told him he was in the CIA and that it was his job to protect Jenelle at all costs. The two men walked across a field in the dark, then Buddy Potter handed Curd a gun just before they went into the Payne home, but Curd said it was Buddy Potter who walked down the hallway and shot Payne, then Hayworth. Low around 35F. She was thinking of that and of wanting to accept her fault in what actually occurred., [image via Johnson County Sheriffs Office], Have a tip we should know? Updated annually. But from Barbaras perspective, shed already had that trial one time. Curd was sentenced to 25 years in prison and will be eligible for parole after serving 30 percent. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Community gathers for Seuss on the Loose, Red Cross volunteers helping prevent house fires, JC parks announce closures following storms, Northeast State to host Amateur Highland Games, Best athletic wear for kids joining baseball and, How to watch all the Oscar-nominated movies in style, Best smart home devices for older users, according, Amazon pauses Phase 2 construction of HQ2 in Arlington, Knox PD: Third suspect arrested in shooting of JC, Police locate two endangered missing children, More from WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather, Formerly homeless vet thriving after decade on streets, 5 reported dead after severe weather in Kentucky, Tennesseee motorcyclists, AAA disagree on helmet, Greeneville police chief to retire April 1, 13 charges for Kingsport woman after drug investigation, Theater pulls film over pastors autism comments, PHOTOS: Storm damage from across Tri-Cities. He entered that plea to facilitation to commit murder Tuesday prior to the Potter womens sentencing hearing. After combing through them, it appeared there was some type of conspiracy here. And I unfriended her., Jenelles Former Friends Are Found Murdered. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Regardless of how Mountain City does relative to all communities in America of all sizes, when NeighborhoodScout compared it to communities of similar population size, its crime rate per thousand residents stands out as higher than most. The Rules of Professional Conduct impute the actions of non-lawyers to their attorney employers. When they impounded Marvins truck, they found bags of shredded documents, pictured above. Their infant son was still cradled in his dead mother's arms. A Tennessee mother who was one of the three family members convicted in the so-called Facebook Murders case rejected her chance at a new trial and reached a deal with prosecutors that will send her to prison for 25 years. Assistant District Attorney General Dennis Brooks. "I did Bill first and then I think Billie did me. I've done everything. A Johnson County man pleaded guilty to facilitation of first-degree murder in a brutal 2012 double murder Tuesday, and the mother and daughter convicted of the crimes will serve their two life. Trial counsel H. Randolph Fallin operated under a conflict of interest resulting from his representing both Petitioner and her husband, Marvin Buddy Potter. Keep an eye out for more updates on the Facebook Murders. Mountain City is located just a few miles from both the Virginia and North Carolina state lines. I think that we did it to each other. From our analysis, we discovered that violent crime in Mountain City occurs at a rate higher than in most communities of all population sizes in America. He had dogs. Assistant District Attorney Dennis Brooks will officially release Too Pretty to Live: The Catfishing Murders of East Tennessee on Tuesday by Diversion Publishing. The 262-page book was written after the final verdicts were read in the case in Johnson County, Tennessee. He was a sports writer at the Johnson City Press and a stringer for the Bristol Herald Courier and Maryville Daily Times. While being questioned by detectives, Marvin said, Ever since all this crap started, Ive had my life threatened. rsorrell@bristolnews.com | 276-645-2531 | Twitter: @RSorrellBHC |Facebook.com/robertsorrelltn, EDITORS NOTE: Mack Crowder changed his plea to withhold of adjudication and served a period of probation, which ended in April 2018. Low 33F. already serving two consecutive life sentences, Update-mother-daughter-receive-concurrent-life-sentences-in-2012-mountain-city-double-murder-co-conspirator-gets-25-years-photos-video. Potter was once friendly with Payne in person, hanging out at barbecues and even going rappelling together. Our nationwide meta-analysis overcomes the issues inherent in any crime database, including non-reporting and reporting errors. Mountain City crime rates are 58% lower than the national average Violent crimes in Mountain City are 47% lower than the national average In Mountain City you have a 1 in 102 chance of becoming a victim of crime Mountain City is safer than 62% of the cities in the United States Year over year crime in Mountain City has decreased by 32% Have a tip or story idea? Start your subscription for just $5 for 3 months Subscribe. Barbara Potter, her husband Marvin Buddy Potter, and their daughter Jenelle Potter had all previously been convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder by Washington County juries. "I emailed him through my email, and I said, you know, 'How'd you get my screenname, password?' 39: Catfishing in Mountain City, TN: The Facebook Murders - Spreaker Yes, Barbara responded. Potter guilty on two counts of First Degree Murder Now, two of the three parties serving two consecutive life sentences for the 2012 murders of Bill Payne and Billie Jean Hayworth are asking for a new ruling. Subscribe Now. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, 'PURPOSE IN THE PAIN' Faith, family fuels Eastside girls basketball coach Funk, VHSL HOOPS: George Wythe's Ty Campbell making his own legacy, LOCALS IN THE PROS: Mac McClung back at the G League grind, Richlands altercation under investigation, VHSL CLASS 1 BOYS: George Wythe hits 16 3s in trouncing of Twin Springs, VHSL HOOPS: Ryan Horne having senior year to remember for Twin Springs, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, REGION 1D: Fourth time the charm for J.I. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. She was paranoid about it.. Marvin Potter is accused in the shooting deaths of a couple who removed his adult daughter as a friend on the social network. "I didn't murder anyone," Jenelle Potter told ABC News' "20/20. The states evidence hinged on hundreds of emails and Facebook posts and messages sent between Jenelle, her mother, Curd and a mystery man named Chris who was supposedly a CIA agent who wanted to kill Payne and Hayworth but couldnt, so he urged the Potter women to find someone else to do it. Rice asked Barbara to confirm that her current attorney, Scott Schults, had performed his job to the best of his abilities, which she did. She could assume a different identity and be as hateful as she wanted to be, Brooks said. The two were shot to death in their Mountain City home. MOUNTAIN CITY Agents of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are investigating the circumstances leading to an officer-involved shooting that took place in Johnson County just after 7 p.m.. She didnt have a job or drive a car. Now, two of the three parties serving two consecutive life sentences for the 2012 murders of Bill Payne and Billie Jean Hayworth are asking for a new ruling. Press Senior Reporter The matriarch of a family trio convicted on two counts of first- degree murder in the so-called Facebook murders was granted a new trial after a judge ruled her trial attorney who also. Mountain City Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout That case focused on information revealed from Deputy District Attorney Dennis Brooks book on the case, Too Pretty to Live, the Catfishing Murders of East Tennessee. Barbara and Jenelle Potters attorneys are focusing this new request around Marvin Potters never-before-heard testimony on the chain of events. Couple Murdered for 'Unfriending' Woman On Facebook - The Daily Beast For those that are fuzzy on the nearly decade-old crime, this case, known as the Facebook Murders, revolves around a social media feud that made its way to the real world. Potter was found guilty in May of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder for the 2012 shooting deaths of Billie Jean Hayworth, 23, and Billy Payne, 36. Curd, who was Payne's cousin, also told police that he'd been text-messaging a man named Chris, who told him he was in the CIA and said his job was to protect Jenelle Potter from her enemies at all costs. Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood said the crime was the most bizarre thing hes seen in his career as as judge, but that concurrent sentences virtually guarantees the women will never be released. Please disable your ad blocker, whitelist our site, or purchase a subscription. Defense attorneys did not present any evidence, but argued that concurrent sentencing was warranted in the case. Facebook Murders revisited: I did that on purpose. Listen to Mountain City, TN - Unfriended Facebook Murders and seventy-seven more episodes by Every Town, free! Cost of living in Mountain City is 5% lower than the Tennessee average. Jenelles sister Christie Groover, whos been estranged from the family for a decade, said Jenelle struggled to make friends growing up. She did want to go in there and plead guilty, Schults told the paper. Facebook Murders revisited: "I did that on purpose" | News Note: Because the rates of crime are so low in America, we use "per . Greenwell introduced Jenelle to her cousin Jamie Curd, who is handy with computers. His testimony has to be taken in light of the massive bias hed have to help his family, and it would have to be evaluated in light of the other evidence in the case, Brooks explained. Initially police were baffled by the crime, until they uncovered a web of lies and manipulation so bizarre it would catapult the small town into the national spotlight. Mountain City crime rates are 69% lower than the Tennessee average. The prosecutor noted that the case is layered and the subjects are compelling. Updated: Nov 11, 2021 / 06:49 PM EST WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) - Barbara Potter, the mother in a family trio all convicted of first-degree murder in the 2012 killing of a Mountain. The CIA agent Chris had apparently been corresponding with Barbara and warning her about threats to her daughters life. The fourth defendant, Jamie Curd, described by prosecutors as Jenelles boyfriend, was also charged but hes worked out a plea agreement with the state in exchange for testifying against the Potter women. Police later moved in and arrested Marvin in a pre-dawn raid in February 2012. Only a few . Copyright 2000-2023 Location Inc. He pleaded guilty to facilitation to commit murder Tuesday prior to the Potter womens sentencing hearing. Create a password that only you will remember. In May 2015, three and a half years after the shootings, Jenelle and Barbara finally went on trial. Crime risk data are updated annually. "She may be on a fourth-grade level, but she has a Ph.D. in manipulation," Brooks, the prosecutor, said. Police: Man charged with second-degree murder after November shooting Jenelle Potter, pictured above, said she had trouble making friends when she moved to Mountain City, Tennessee, in 2005. "We have been using NeighborhoodScout data from Location Inc. for over 5 years. Mountain City, TN Crime & Safety City Home Local News The Tomahawk Court dismisses first-degree murder case against Butler man A criminal case against David Lee Albright, 71, of Butler, was dismissed by First Judicial District Court Judge Lisa Nidiffer Rice on Friday, February 3, 2023. In a mystery that involved a supposed CIA agent, cyber bullying and a small Tennessee town, read below to see what led to the coldblooded murders. 2023 Compare Cities Economy: Lakewood Park, FL vs Mountain City, TN Barbara Potter is serving two concurrent life sentences for first degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, while Marvin Potter is also serving two consecutive life sentences after being convicted in October 2013 of the murders. My client is not guilty for having an overprotective father, Jenelles attorney Cameron Hyder told 20/20. She is not capable of directing anyone to commit murder. Mountain City has a Livability Score of 56 /100, which is considered poor. It was higher than in 27.8% U.S. cities. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. "We've had enough. That sentence is also concurrent to her life sentences. One of 6 charged with murder of North Carolina man convicted in - WCYB Potter and Curd were arraigned Wednesday. First published on January 24, 2013 / 2:29 PM. Later that week, authorities brought Curd in and asked him to take a polygraph test, which indicated he lied about knowing the identity of Payne and Hayworths killer. That's -57.88% lower than the national rate of 2,346.0 per 100,000 people and -68.79% lower than the Tennessee total crime rate of 3,165.5 per 100,000 people. I was a bad person. The fact that Mr. Fallin failed to engage his clients in the required discussions regarding conflict of interest and waiver of the potential conflict does not, standing alone, entitle Petitioner to relief. Marvin Potter and Jamie Lynn Curd. Mountain City, TN - Unfriended Facebook Murders From Every Town 0 0 29 minutes Description You've got a Facebook friend request - or conversely, your friend request has been accepted - and the thrill of having a new virtual friend that may open beautiful possibilities is undeniable. I unfriended them. Jenelle Potter's defense attorney Cameron Hyder said, "Jenelle Potter operates on the level of an 8- or 9-year-old.. Importantly, when you compare Mountain City to other communities of similar population, then Mountain City crime rate (violent and property crimes combined) is quite a bit higher than average. "I didn't murder anyone," Jenelle Potter told ABC News' "20/20.". . Data for all 32,900 zip codes in one easy-to-use Excel file Mountain City, Tn Housing Market Highlights ECONOMY At one point, Barbara ripped the photos that were found in what seemed to be an attempt to hide them from police. Payne, 36, and Hayworth, 23, were killed about three years ago in their Mountain City home by Marvin Potter and Jamie Curd. Barbara got it to happen," agent Lott said. My wife has been threatened. We won't share it with anyone else. Agent Lott then arranged for Marvin to call his wife Barbara. Sinkhole opens up in Mall at Johnson City parking, Greeneville man describes moment US shot down balloon, From the Archives: Carter County, Roan Mountain floods, Join News Channel 11s 70th celebration in Elizabethton, Continents largest salamanders native to region, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Authorities seized 51 items from the house, including their family computer. This is important because the overall crime rate can be further illuminated by understanding if violent crime or property crimes (or both) are the major contributors to the general rate of crime in Mountain City. Jenelles father, Marvin Potter, and her boyfriend, Curd, then broke into the home of Payne and Hayworth and murdered them. And when she would go out with her dad, he said they were watching them together, Barbara said. In this photo, a rock is pictured found on the front lawn of the Potter family's home. Jenelle Potter: ABC '20/20 Takes Look At Facebook Murder Of Mountain When they impounded Marvin Potter's truck, police also found several plastic bags of shredded emails that an agent put back together. And I unfriended her.". Jamie Lynn Curd, 38, of 2358 Pleasant Valley Road, Mountain City, Tn., and Marvin "Buddy" Potter, Jr., 60, of 727 Hospital Road, Mountain City, Tn., were both charged overnight with two counts . He testified at Barbara and Jenelles trial that Buddy Potter asked him for a favor, then cashed in on it the morning of the murders. Then, too, she wanted to make amends with what had happened. That led to discord between the one-time friends that prosecutors said ultimately ended in Payne and Hayworths deaths and the Potters being convicted of murder. When she invented Chris, she could assume a different identity and be as hateful as she wanted to be.". That visit left the victims with execution-style shots to the head, Paynes throat cut, and the couples eight-month-old son asleep in Hayworths lifeless arms. Potter had a crush on Payne and wanted him and Hayworth dead after they moved in together and had a child, according to prosecutors. The feud ended with Payne and Hayworth unfriending Jenelle on the social media site, according to the report. I dont want anybody murdered. ", Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. bcampbell@johnsoncitypress.com, One of three Facebook murder convictions overturned, mother granted new trial. However, a judge granted her a new trial after finding that her attorney, Randy Fallin, had a conflict of interest when he represented her in her 2015 trial because he had also represented Buddy Potter, who was convicted in 2013, and was continuing to represent him during the appeals process. He said he couldnt use his real name, his real identity.. MOUNTAIN CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) A Mountain City man has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly shooting a man in the neck in November 2020. Barbara Potter was also convicted of tampering with evidence, which stemmed from her tearing up photos of Hayworth and some of Hayworths friends while investigators were executing a search warrant at the Potter home. [They] threatened to get [me] raped, Jenelle said. They have an 8-month-old baby, who was found unharmed in Hayworth's arms. Billie Jean Hayworth and Billy Payne were found shot dead in their home. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. The 2019 crime rate in Mountain City, TN is 69 (City-Data.com crime index), which is 3.9 times lower than the U.S. average. One of three Facebook murder convictions overturned, mother granted new Our nationally-comparable school ratings are covered under US Patent No. Petitioner also could have argued that if she was guilty of anything, she was guilty of lesser offenses. The murders happened in Mountain City, but the case is being tried in Jonesborough because of the pre-trial publicity that surrounded the so-called Facebook murders.. On Jan. 31, 2012, a friend found Billie Jean Hayworth and Billy Payne dead by single gunshots to their faces. The two became an item, with Jenelle hiding her relationship from her strict parents. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. I walked away from that (post-conviction) hearing myself having concerns about that representation.. WATCH LIVE: Ex-boyfriend on trial for allegedly killing womans new beau, WATCH LIVE: Psychic on Trial in Spousal Swindling Case, WATCH LIVE: XXXTentacion murder trial 3 men charged in 2018 shooting death of rapper, Law&Crime Looks Ahead to 10 Remarkable Criminal Trials Scheduled for the First Half of 2023, 9 Shocking Times Defendants Testified at Trial, Filled with Hatred: Far-right Proud Boy brawler convicted on 10 felonies for inciting and directing riot against counter-protesters, Family calls on U.S. to intervene to help solve death of social media influencer seen being brutally beaten in video in Mexico, Man arrested more than 3 decades after Atlanta woman found raped and strangled in woods, Two far-right Trump supporters who sought war over 2020 election sentenced for conspiring to blow up Democratic Headquarters, Alex Murdaugh juror: We prayed before returning to courtroom with guilty verdict for murders, 'Filled with Hatred': Far-right Proud Boy brawler convicted on 10 felonies for inciting and directing riot against counter-protesters, Two far-right Trump supporters who sought 'war' over 2020 election sentenced for conspiring to blow up Democratic Headquarters, Judge throws the book at boyfriend for killing and dismembering girlfriend, whose remains were scattered outside their home. There was a problem saving your notification. I already knew the story, he said. Jerry Lambe is a journalist at Law&Crime. Story of Mountain City Facebook murders reaches national audience in Download Historical Data Save as Image. Relative to Tennessee, Mountain City has a crime rate that is higher than 58% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes. While Marvin was being questioned, police executed a search warrant on the Potter house.
Rabbit Breeders In California,
Brad Heller Age,
Danny Clarke Gardener Wife,
James Buchanan Siblings,
Mitsuwa New Jersey,
Articles M