mountain city, tn murders

Note: Because the rates of crime are so low in America, we use "per . The CIA agent warned the parents that surveillance of Payne and Hayworth revealed that the two of them were planning on harming Jenelle, that it was imminent, and that something needed to be done. She was feeding Barbaras delusions, so Barbara ignores the signs that something is amiss here., Jenelle and Her Mom Go on Trial for the Murders. The tragic case rocked the entire town of Mountain City, Tennessee. Mountain City real estate prices are 10% lower than the Tennessee average. Select your ideal criteria and let Scout do the rest. The evidence in this case was such that Barbaras best defense would have been to argue that she did not commit the crime, and if her husband did commit the crime, she was unaware of her husbands intentions, and therefore she did not assist or promote the offenses. During the interview, Jenelle appeared to be hiding her romantic relationship with Curd from her parents. But when police took a look at the computer they seized from the Potters' home, they learned the emails from the CIA agent Chris were all coming from an account that belonged to Jenelle Potter, and a review of the IP address confirmed that. Winds light and variable. A veteran of more than 100 jury trials, including 18 jury verdicts of first-degree murder, Brooks wrote when he was younger. The NeighborhoodScout search engine is covered under US Patents No. We felt sorry for Jenelle because she was sheltered and sick and stuff, Greenwell told 20/20.. Marvin Potter finally, before his family and a judge, confessed fully to the 2012 murder of Bill Payne, one of the two first-degree murder convictions he is jailed on today. The judge did not find any fault on the Brady issue, but he did grant relief on the first two issues. 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. The murder occurred after months of allegations from Potter's. Tennessee National Guard names soldiers in fatal helicopter crash. The book discusses the police investigation that Brooks said made the crime even more interesting. Both parties lawyers claimed the information was paramount, considering the Potter womens charges are under Tennessee Code Annotated 39-11-402, criminal responsibility for the conduct of another. Partly cloudy skies. Curd said Buddy picked him up and drove to a church parking lot near the Payne home. Crime risk data are updated annually. According to Johnson City Press, Jenelle and Hayworth were one-time friends. 39: Catfishing in Mountain City, TN: The Facebook Murders I didnt grow up here, Potter, 34, told 20/20. People here do not like outsiders.. In her amended petition for post- conviction relief, Petitioner argues: A. The Real 'Fatal Attraction' Killer - Jennifer Reali - Colorado Springs, CO. 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. Payne, 36, and Hayworth, 23, were killed about three years ago in their Mountain City home by Marvin Potter and Jamie Curd. Invalid password or account does not exist. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. After combing through them, it appeared there was some type of conspiracy here. I didn't truly believe that Buddy Potter was capable of doing this, Lott said. On July 13 and July 14, the Washington County Criminal Court revisited a crime that put a national focus on the small town of Mountain City. "He was watching these people that he said were harassing her on the computer and calling her. Because of health problems, including Type 1 diabetes, Potter spent most of her time living at home with her parents, who cared for her every day. 2021. 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. Best Places to Live in Mountain City, Tennessee State: Tennessee County: Johnson County Metro Area: No Metro Area City: Mountain City Zip Codes: 37683 Cost of Living: -26.8% lower New! I didnt murder anyone, Jenelle, pictured in jail above, told 20/20., 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. According to Mountain City PD, the suspect, identified as Jimmy Gale Morefield, waited for officers to arrive at the scene of the shooting. Burton girls; Twin Springs boys win 2nd straight region title, VHSL QUARTERFINALS: Floyd County (boys), Wise Central (girls), J.I. There was controversy around how the Johnson County Sheriffs Office handled the murder case during the original investigation. Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. The chance that a person will become a victim of a violent crime in Mountain City; such as armed robbery, aggravated assault, rape or murder; is 1 in 306. Payne and Hayworth were shot inside their Johnson County home early that morning while Payne was getting ready for work. At that time, Reeces only statement was that he would not respond to the letter in question. The two became an item, with Jenelle hiding her relationship from her strict parents. In previous trials, the prosecutor presented several signs of possible knowledge of the plan, such as an article Barbara reportedly emailed to herself entitled Can God Forgive a Murder? 15 days before the murders took place. The family patriarch, Marvin Potter, was already serving two consecutive life sentences after being convicted in October 2013 of the murders. Jenelle Potter, pictured above, said she had trouble making friends when she moved to Mountain City, Tennessee, in 2005. A week after the crime, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced the arrest of Marvin "Buddy" Potter (of no relation to the mayor) and his daughter's then-boyfriend, Jamie Lynn Curd. The CIA agent Chris had apparently been corresponding with Barbara and warning her about threats to her daughters life. High 57F. But a feud on social media erupted and, eventually, they deleted each other as friends on Facebook. Cost of living in Mountain City is 5% lower than the Tennessee average. I love my husband, but I would not sit here and lie for them," Barbara Potter said. I thought lets see where this goes. I rekindled my love of writing.. Morefield reportedly told investigators that the shooting was in self-defense. Crime rate in Mountain City, TN - City-Data The couple defriended Jenelle Potter, prosecutors said, which may have been the ultimate action that led to the murder. And if I have to forgive any of youns to stay out of hell, Ill see you there, Garland said. [They] threatened to get [me] raped, Jenelle said. 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. Mr. Fallin asserted at the post-conviction hearing that there were no conflicting interests between Petitioner and her husband, but the testimony of the other witnesses and the evidence presented at the two trials paint a far different picture. Curd's initial bond was raised to $1.5 million while Potter remains jailed on his initial $200,000 bond. 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. Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. The Potter women were not present when the couple was killed, but they were convicted under a law of criminal responsibility, meaning their actions led to the murders. 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. Assistant District Attorney Dennis Brooks said he will have to talk with District Attorney Ken Baldwin to determine the states next step, but appealing the ruling could be an issue. You can cancel at any time. Said Jenelle Potter: "I didn't murder anyone.. While being questioned by detectives, Marvin said, Ever since all this crap started, Ive had my life threatened. The Rules of Professional Conduct impute the actions of non-lawyers to their attorney employers. 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. You have permission to edit this article. I did not do that, Barbara said. Marvin Potter is accused in the shooting deaths of a couple who removed his adult daughter as a friend on the social network. The case was a tangled web of jealousy, allegations of threats from Hayworth and Payne toward Jenelle Potter, emails between them all and even an alleged bounty for Jenelles murder. He pleaded guilty to facilitation to commit murder Tuesday prior to the Potter womens sentencing hearing. Choose wisely! 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. I was horrible. 2013 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. You have permission to edit this article. She was paranoid about it.. Shults, who represented Barbara Potter in this part of her appeal, said his client was entitled to due process and independent counsel for her trial. Robert Littleton was. You have permission to edit this article. Mr. Fallin was not granted power of attorney over the Potter family assets counsels daughter Jessica was. Prosecutors believe Potter created a false online identity of a CIA agent named Chris, in a phenomenon known as "catfishing," to fool her parents and her boyfriend and to goad her father into killing Hayworth and Payne. 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. 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. In a tiny town in Tennessee, a young couple are brutally shot, execution style in their home. I did that on purpose, Marvin testified about slitting Paynes throat in his confession at the post-conviction hearing. Curd was sentenced to 25 years in prison and will be eligible for parole after serving 30 percent. There were some discussions that he would testify at his wifes trial, but ultimately he did not. Their relationship went south when Hayworth began dating Payne, whom she allegedly knew Jenelle was pining for. 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. He said he was down here to protect me, protect my parents. Rice asked Barbara to confirm that her current attorney, Scott Schults, had performed his job to the best of his abilities, which she did. Guilty verdicts were handed out for the Potters and Curd pleaded guilty. Yeah, youre going to hell. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. I never wanted them dead," Jenelle Potter, 34, told ABC News' "20/20" in an exclusive interview about the murders. Winds light and variable.. A clear sky. Recommended for you - Johnson City Press After a six-day trial, the two were convicted of planning the Jan. 31, 2012, shooting deaths of Bill Payne, 36, and Billie Jean Hayworth, 23, inside that couples Johnson County home. Invalid password or account does not exist. When Brooks was through, Criminal Court Judge Lisa Rice reportedly asked Barbara if she agreed that what the prosecutor described would be the evidence presented against her in court if she were to be tried again. 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. 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. Posing as Chris, Jenelle reportedly convinced Barbara that the CIA had sent an agent to Mountain City to protect Jenelle from Hayworth and Payne. In recounting the evidence against Barbara during Wednesdays plea hearing, Deputy DA Brooks reportedly described how investigators found hundreds of emails that showed how Jenelle catfished by pretending to be a CIA agent named Chris. But Jenelle said there were real threats of violence against her. Mountain City News, Weather, Safety, Sports | NewsBreak Mountain City, TN "Criminal Confessions" Mountain City, TN (TV Episode 2018) - IMDb 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. 2 Charged In Johnson County Double Murder - Chattanoogan.com Theyve threatened to take Jenelle, cut her head off.. Somebody wanted to kill her, Greenwell said. feet 2 baths - beds #2 Old Us Highway 421 Zionville, NC 28698 1,344 sq. Street was pronounced dead at the scene, police report. Jenelle spent time with Greenwell and her friends, including Greenwells brother Billy Payne. In August 2013, authorities arrested Jenelle and Barbara for the murders of Payne and Hayworth. Everybody says she fell in love with Bill, but I still dont see that, said Greenwell. "We've had enough. Rental prices in Mountain City are 40% lower than the . The prosecutor noted that the case is layered and the subjects are compelling. Tenn. father charged with murdering couple who"unfriended" daughter on 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. Jerry Lambe is a journalist at Law&Crime. Courtesy Tate Davis Jenelle and Her Family Adjust to Life in Mountain City 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. — -- A Tennessee woman in prison for the murders of a young couple with whom she had been feuding online said she didn't want them to die. 39: Catfishing in Mountain City, TN: The Facebook Murders - Spreaker On Jan. 31, 2012, a friend found Billie Jean Hayworth and Billy Payne dead by single gunshots to their faces. And I unfriended her.". By being able to show conflict of interest, we were able to show ineffective assistance of counsel.. The post-conviction judge, William Acree, heard testimony for this appeal over a three-day period in July. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Their infant son was still cradled in his dead mother's arms. feet - baths - beds #5 Nc 194 S Todd, NC 28684 - sq. If you can show trial counsel had a conflict of interest, then you didnt have independent representation. Mountain City, TN - AreaVibes Potter is serving two concurrent life sentences for the murders of the couple who were found in their Mountain City, Tennessee, home with single gunshot wounds to their faces. Please dont do this, Jenelles mom Barbara said. My dad even tried to meet him places, try to talk to him.. He testified in the trial that some of the photos Jenelle and her mother emailed back and forth were from the public portion of his Facebook page, but most of them were not him at all. February 3, 2023. I was a bad person. 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. Jenelle Potters convictions were upheld in a separate opinion issued by Acree. The murder occurred after months of allegations from Potters daughter, Jenelle Potter, and his wife, Barbara Potter, and a Facebook defriending. 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 think that we did it to each other. 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. 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The day after the womens verdict was announced, Brooks said he tried to unwind, but the facts of the case stayed on his mind. / CBS News. "Barbara and Janelle share the responsibility. In this case, it is clear to this Court that Mr. Fallin operated under a conflict of interest based on his concurrent representation of both Petitioner and her husband. I think they would be called masterminds, said Lott. Although Brooks is excited to have completed and published a book, hes still a prosecutor. She said she was the victim of anonymous cyberbullying, some of which she believes came from Hayworth. "I didn't murder anyone," Jenelle Potter told ABC News' "20/20. I plead guilty, your honor, Barbara reportedly said. Were guaranteed that in our Constitution, Shults said. "He said he couldn't use his real name, his real identity," Barbara Potter said. Low 33F. But Jenelle Potter said Chris was using her email to protect his identity. Follow Becky Campbell @CampbellinCourt | Like her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BeckyCampbellJCPress. MountainCity-TN-Online [photo credit: YouTube] Jenelle Potter: ABC '20/20 Takes Look At Facebook Murder Of Mountain After Marvin Potter, who is known as "Buddy," was arrested for the murders, he also told police his daughter's life was being threatened. 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! Violent Potter was once friendly with Payne in person, hanging out at barbecues and even going rappelling together. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Mountain City is 1 in 76. Clear skies. Story of Mountain City Facebook murders reaches national audience in book, tv special. I did Bill first and then I think Billie did me. He survived unharmed, though he was found covered in blood. In the upcoming months, officials will decide whether the Potter women will receive a new trial, get a chance at an appeal, or be left to serve their sentences as planned. "I love my daughter. Buddy and Jenelles convictions were both upheld on appeal. thetomahawk.com | The Tomahawk Local News for Mountain City Tennessee A life sentence in Tennessee requires a inmate serve 51 years before being eligible for parole. Read more about Scout's Crime Data. How a Social Media Feud Led to the Murder of a Young - ABC News From time to time, Curd would visit the Potter house to fix the family computer. 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. The letter also included records of others seeking court-ordered protection from Jenelle because of the alleged harassment stretching back four years, claiming the victims should have been protected better. Potter and Curd were arraigned Wednesday. Marvin Potter said he shot Payne accidentally, but intentionally slit the mans throat because of the threats Potter believed Payne had made toward Jenelle. The shocking murder left 36-year-old Billy Clay Payne and 23-year-old Billie Jean Hayworth dead. Raw data sources: I just disliked them. He did different jobs. I've done everything. But Barbara, pictured above with Marvin, didnt accept her husbands supposed confession of guilt. NeighborhoodScout provides exclusive crime risk analytics for every neighborhood in America with up to 98% predictive accuracy. Jenelle said one of her Facebook friends, Billie Jean Hayworth, was the one behind the attacks because Hayworth was jealous of her looks. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. "I didn't hate [Hayworth and Payne].