Theyve threatened to take Jenelle, cut her head off.. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Hayworth was dating Billy Payne, and the couple lived together with their infant son. 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.. Jamie in the interview had said something to the effect of, Is the CIA here? That was a very strange question to me, Lott said. I didn't truly believe that Buddy Potter was capable of doing this, Lott said. I did Bill first and then I think Billie did me. Their infant son was still cradled in his dead mothers arms. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. The evidence was presented to the Johnson County Grand Jury and Mr. Jimmy Gale Morefield was charged with Second Degree Murder, the release reads. "We have been using NeighborhoodScout data from Location Inc. for over 5 years. He entered that plea to facilitation to commit murder Tuesday prior to the Potter womens sentencing hearing. 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. But Potter, who lived at home with her strict parents and spent most of her adult social life on social media, denies this. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. The Rules of Professional Conduct impute the actions of non-lawyers to their attorney employers. Burton girls; Twin Springs boys win 2nd straight region title, VHSL QUARTERFINALS: Floyd County (boys), Wise Central (girls), J.I. Potter had a crush on Payne and wanted him and Hayworth dead after they moved in together and had a child, according to prosecutors. Because we knew that they had trouble with [Hayworth and Payne], Woodard told 20/20.. And we were trying to figure out who he was. Catfishing in Mountain City, TN: The Facebook Murders Southern Fried True Crime Podcast Episode 39 Description In a tiny town in Tennessee, a young couple are brutally shot, execution style in their home. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Rice then asked how she wanted to plead. Jenelle Potters convictions were upheld in a separate opinion issued by Acree. I only have that book because of someone elses tragedy, Brooks said. 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 told Barbara, I did it. That's as close to a confession as we got from him, said Lott. The fourth defendant, Jamie Curd, described by prosecutors as Jenelles boyfriend, was also charged, but he worked out a plea agreement with the state in exchange for testifying against the Potter women. Jenelle Potter lived with her parents Barbara Potter and Marvin Potter, pictured together here. The release states officers found Teddy Allen Street lying on the roadway with a gunshot wound to the neck.. 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. I unfriended them. Mountain City TN Murder/Homicide Rate 2005-2018 | MacroTrends Potters mother Barbara Potter had a job with Hewlett-Packard, and her father Marvin Potter, known as Buddy, was a former marine who served in Vietnam. From time to time, Curd would visit the Potter house to fix the family computer. On Jan. 31, 2012, a friend of Payne and Hayworth found them dead by single gunshots to their faces. The couple defriended Jenelle Potter, prosecutors said, which may have been the ultimate action that led to the murder. 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? Mountain City has a Livability Score of 56 /100, which is considered poor. The Official Website of Mountain City, TN 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. It took a lot of work to get here and I truly believe that she could have had a better outcome at trial. 7,043,501 and 7,680,859. The two became an item, with Jenelle hiding her relationship from her strict parents. The shocking murder left 36-year-old Billy Clay Payne and 23-year-old Billie Jean Hayworth dead. 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 . Defense attorney Scott Shults listens as attorney Grace Studer makes closing arguments in a post-conviction hearing for Barbara and Jenelle Potter in July 2021. 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He was watching these people that he said were harassing her on the computer and calling her. Schults reportedly told JCP that Barbara requested him to reach a deal with prosecutorsagainst his advicebecause she did not want to go through another trial. Catfishing in Mountain City, TN: The Facebook Murders Southern Fried The jury reached a verdict of guilty on Friday, October 11, 2013 in the trial of Mavin Enoch Buddy Potter, Jr. who was charged with two counts of first degree murder in the deaths of Mountain City couple Bill Payne and Billie Jean Hayworth. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. 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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. 2021. "He was watching these people that he said were harassing her on the computer and calling her. Mountain City Murder (Hannah Scrabble Cozy Mysteries Book 3) Enhanced Cost of Living Calculator Now includes childcare, taxes, health, housing for home owners vs renters, insurance costs and more when you upgrade to premium. 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. Start your subscription for just $5 for 3 months Subscribe. Wed have the right to appeal that, but if a judge sets forth sound legal reasoning, its hard to win an appeal, Brooks said. 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. Rental prices in Mountain City are 40% lower than the . Potter was once friendly with Payne in person, hanging out at barbecues and even going rappelling together. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 1. Cause I wasnt born and raised here. 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 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. At that time, Reeces only statement was that he would not respond to the letter in question. Cost of living in Mountain City is 5% lower than the Tennessee average. 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. 2023 Compare Cities Economy: Lakewood Park, FL vs Mountain City, TN Randy Fallin, defense attorney for Barbara Potter at her murder trial in 2020. That sentence is also concurrent to her life sentences. 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. Jamie Curd, Marvin Potter's friend, has also been charged in the murders. Please subscribe to keep reading. "Match Any Neighborhood" calculates the Match Level of one neighborhood to another using more than 200 characteristics of each neighborhood. 2 Charged In Johnson County Double Murder - Chattanoogan.com Moreover, the rate of property crime in Mountain City; burglary, larceny ($50 or more), grand theft auto, and arson; is 10 per 1,000 residents. Yeah, youre going to hell. 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. You can cancel at any time. NewsBreak provides latest and breaking Mountain City, TN local news, weather forecast, crime and safety reports, traffic updates, event notices, sports, entertainment, local life and other items of interest in the community and nearby towns. Mountain City, TN - Unfriended Facebook Murders The 7-month-old boy survived unharmed. Daughter, mother convicted in 'Facebook murders' case asking for new The murder occurred after months of allegations from Potter's. Create a password that only you will remember. The infamous double-murder was dubbed the Facebook murders after authorities said that the killings were, in part, due to an online feud that was motivated by jealousy and harassment. All the trademarks displayed on this page are the property of Location, Inc. The book is written in the first person perspective and tells what led to the brutal murder. The cover of a book by Dennis Brooks entitle "Too Pretty to Live". Keep an eye out for more updates on the Facebook Murders. In her amended petition for post- conviction relief, Petitioner argues: A. This equates to a rate of 3 per one thousand inhabitants. The 2019 Mountain City crime rate fell by 41% compared to 2018. Authorities seized 51 items from the house, including their family computer. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. His letter accused Reece of damaging the prosecutions case with his public comments. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Hayworth died while holding her 7-month-old baby boy. Brooks believes Jenelle was pretending to be Chris. A life sentence in Tennessee requires a inmate serve 51 years before being eligible for parole. The tragic slaying of Billy Payne and Billie Jean Hayworth, which involved Facebook, catfishing and jealousy, reached a national audience, and has now evolved into a true crime book written by the lead prosecutor in the infamous case. I did that on purpose, Marvin testified about slitting Paynes throat in his confession at the post-conviction hearing. 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. Jenelle Potter during her murder trial in Jonesborough in 2020. When they impounded Marvin Potter's truck, police also found several plastic bags of shredded emails that an agent put back together. feet 1 baths - beds #4 Ivy Branch Mountain Rd Creston, NC 28615 - sq. Barbara, you wanted to know if youd go to hell? 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. Instead of being herself, my parents tried to make her fit in. Low around 35F. Law enforcement officials have been involved in other incidents where Potter's daughter, Jenelle Potter, thought she had been slighted by someone. Allegedly, threats and bullying on Facebook and the Mountain City, TN Topix forum added fuel to the fire, which eventually led to an early morning visit to the house on James Davis Lane by Marvin Potter and Jenelles boyfriend, Jamie Curd. 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. 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. Paynes throat had also been slashed as he lay in bed, and Billie Jean had been cradling their baby in her arms when she died. A few months later, in October 2013, Marvin was found guilty for the murders and is currently serving two life sentences. A Crime That SHOCKED The Nation - Mary Holmes - Thatcher, AZ. 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. Their infant son was still cradled in his dead mother's arms. Jenelle was accused of catfishing, or creating a fake social media account to convince her family that Payne and Hayworth were dangerous. Jenelle Potter's former friends Billie Jean Hayworth, Billy Payne were murdered. "Criminal Confessions" Mountain City, TN (TV Episode 2018) - IMDb Winds light and variable.. A clear sky. In the last 5 years Mountain City has seen decline of violent crime and decreasing property crime. The couple was killed in their home on January 31, 2012. After being at the interrogation for nearly six hours, Curd told police Jenelles dad Marvin killed Hayworth and Payne. I think that we did it to each other. I plead guilty, your honor, Barbara reportedly said. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Chief Deputy Woodard said investigators found an arsenal of weapons around the home though none matched the murder weapon. He said he couldnt use his real name, his real identity.. My wife has been threatened. But behind her parents backs, Jenelle and Curd would secretly spend time together. The crime rate in Mountain City is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 13 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. It takes a cold-blooded person to shoot someone holding a baby, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Scott Lott told 20/20.. If you can show trial counsel had a conflict of interest, then you didnt have independent representation. Posing as Chris, Jenelle reportedly convinced Barbara that the CIA had sent an agent to Mountain City to protect Jenelle from Hayworth and Payne. 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% I walked away from that (post-conviction) hearing myself having concerns about that representation.. Barbara potter. I've done everything. Because you are guilty? Rice asked. Further suggesting Mr. Fallin was more aware of his daughters activities than he insisted at the post-conviction hearing, Mr. Fallin filed a motion to quash a subpoena related to a criminal investigation of Jessica, perhaps ending any potential investigation into the Fallins involvement with the Potters finances. NeighborhoodScout provides exclusive crime risk analytics for every neighborhood in America with up to 98% predictive accuracy. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. Please disable your ad blocker, whitelist our site, or purchase a subscription. You have to have hard, concrete facts in court, he added. Its just not in her.. 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. 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. Barbara could have argued that if her actions could have been construed as encouraging her husband to act, it resulted from her being duped or catfished.. After seven days of testimony, the jury found both Jenelle and Barbara guilty of first degree murder, and they were both sentenced to life in prison in July. 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 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.. There was controversy around how the Johnson County Sheriffs Office handled the murder case during the original investigation. They also, in the same breath, would say how different she was, and then [she] became unable to make friends normally, Groover told 20/20.Social media became Jenelles life support, though she said her parents monitored her Facebook page. They have an 8-month-old baby, who was found unharmed in Hayworth's arms. Like the request in 2016, this attempt revolves around new evidence. Low 33F. After combing through them, it appeared there was some type of conspiracy here.