You have permission to edit this article. The book discusses the police investigation that Brooks said made the crime even more interesting. 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. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. I never wanted them dead," Jenelle Potter, 34, told ABC News' "20/20" in an exclusive interview about the murders. 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. Mountain City, TN Crime Report, 2022 - HomeSnacks Appearing in Washington County Court on Wednesday, Barbara Potter, 69, pleaded guilty to two counts of facilitation of . In another part of the ruling, Acree wrote: In this case, despite Mr. Fallins belief that no conflict of interest prevented him from representing both Barbara Potter and Marvin Potter, the Rules of Professional Conduct make clear that Mr. Fallin was required to explain the potential conflict to his clients and obtain informed consent in writing before Mr. Fallin could represent Barbara. feet - baths - beds #5 Nc 194 S Todd, NC 28684 - sq. 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 said her father became more protective with her because of the alleged threats she was receiving. Marvin Buddy Potter husband of Barbara and father to Jenelle was also convicted of the murders. Furthermore, a conflict existed between counsels loyalties to Petitioner and her husband as clients and what can be described (for lack of a better phrase) as Mr. Fallins business relationship with the Potters. 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. Like her husband and daughter, Barbara was sentenced to serve life in prison. I only have that book because of someone elses tragedy, Brooks said. 2021. She didnt have a job or drive a car. 39: Catfishing in Mountain City, TN: The Facebook Murders - Spreaker He now says what triggered his actions was evidence presented by Curd that his daughter was being bullied. They took no medication. I changed my password lots of times. Potter lived most of her adult life on social media. Rental prices in Mountain City are 40% lower than the . Marvin Potter, Barbara Potter and Jenelle Potter are all planning to appeal their convictions. 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 did not do that, Barbara 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. Curd is the only one charged who admitted any involvement in the killings, but told investigators and testified that he had no knowledge of it prior to the morning it happened and that it was Buddy Potter who killed the couple. I unfriended them. Maybe somewhere along the way, hes had a change of heart, but, in my mind, if he wanted to help those women at their trial, hed have done it. 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. Counsel made no such arguments despite the evidence which was available to support the arguments. 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. Crime risk data are updated annually. The tragic case rocked the entire town of Mountain City, Tennessee. "We've had enough. When I read this, I was devastated, Lindsay Thomas, a friend of Hayworth and Payne, told 20/20., [Jenelle] was always saying that somebody was mad at her. 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.. I wanted [them] to quit. Jenelle Potter said she had trouble making friends when she lived in Mountain City, Tenn. "Match Any Neighborhood" calculates the Match Level of one neighborhood to another using more than 200 characteristics of each neighborhood. The two were shot to death in their Mountain City . An agent meticulously reconstructed the shredded papers found in Marvin Potter's truck, pictured here, which appeared to be thousands of emails sent to the Potter family. But when an online feud erupted, two of her former friends were found murdered in their home while their baby survived. Petitioner also could have argued that if she was guilty of anything, she was guilty of lesser offenses. Potter guilty on two counts of First Degree Murder You can cancel at any time. That sentence is also concurrent to her life sentences. 39: Catfishing in Mountain City, TN: The Facebook Murders One of three Facebook murder convictions overturned, mother granted new 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. feet - baths - beds #6 Osborne Road Lansing, NC 28643 Where is 2022 data? Mountain City, TN Crime Rates & Map - AreaVibes Social media allowed Jenelle Potter to be someone that she wasnt She invented Chris. Buddy and Jenelles convictions were both upheld on appeal. Mountain City, TN - AreaVibes After Curds plea on Tuesday, state prosecutors Assistant District Attorneys Matt Roark and Dennis Brooks presented two witnesses to testify about how the deaths of Payne and Hayworth affected them and their families. He never testified. "Every one of them pointed straight back to Barbara and Janelle's home address," Tennessee Bureau of Investigation special agent Scott Lott told "20/20. Data for all 32,900 zip codes in one easy-to-use Excel file Mountain City, Tn Housing Market Highlights ECONOMY 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. Assistant District Attorney Dennis Brooks will officially release Too Pretty to Live: The Catfishing Murders of East Tennessee on Tuesday by Diversion Publishing. Date(s) & Update Frequency: Norfolk Southern train derails in Springfield, Ohio, At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, Trump speaks at CPAC after winning straw poll, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant to "take some time away" from the team after allegedly brandishing a gun in a club, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Promising drug could provide alternative to statins, new study finds, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, NTSB to investigate in-flight turbulence that left 1 passenger dead, Marvin Potter (left) and Jamie Curd (right), are both accused of killing a couple who unfriended Potter's adult daughter on Facebook, Ben Renick case: World-renowned snake breeder murdered, The crime scene evidence that convicted Alex Murdaugh, Colombia wants to deport "cocaine hippos" to stop them from multiplying. Recommended for you - Johnson City Press 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. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? At that time, Reeces only statement was that he would not respond to the letter in question. Please disable your ad blocker, whitelist our site, or purchase a subscription. Posing as Chris, Jenelle reportedly convinced Barbara that the CIA had sent an agent to Mountain City to protect Jenelle from Hayworth and Payne. 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. To have that opportunity was important to her. I remember I wrote, Please do not write on Jenelles Facebook. I begged them. Jenelles Dad Admits to Being Involved in Murders. 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. Marvin Potter and Jamie Lynn Curd. It took a lot of work to get here and I truly believe that she could have had a better outcome at trial. Hayworth was dating Billy Payne, and the couple lived together with their infant son. 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. The search engine finds the neighborhoods that are the optimum fit to the set of criteria you choose. 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. She will eventually be coming up for parole. Jenelle and Her Family Adjust to Life in Mountain City. In the last 5 years Mountain City has seen decline of violent crime and decreasing property crime. Billie Jean Hayworth was dating Billy Payne, and the couple lived together with their 7-month-old baby boy. The case was dubbed the Facebook murders because Jenelle Potter was unfriended by Payne and Hayworth on the social media site. The two were shot to death in their Mountain City home. Payne, 36, and Hayworth, 23, were killed about three years ago in their Mountain City home by Marvin Potter and Jamie Curd. I did Bill first and then I think Billie did me. Read more about Scout's Crime Data. Reflects 2021 calendar year; released from FBI in Oct. 2022 (latest available). Mountain City Murder (Hannah Scrabble Cozy Mysteries Book 3) Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. Other US patent applications are currently pending. Violent Crime Comparison (per 1,000 residents), Property Crime Comparison (per 1,000 residents). Marvin Potter is accused in the shooting deaths of a couple who removed his adult daughter as a friend on the social network. Director Adam Kassen Stars Marken Greenwood Danny McFarland Diana Caban Velez Rice asked Barbara to confirm that her current attorney, Scott Schults, had performed his job to the best of his abilities, which she did. — -- Jenelle Potter was a sheltered young woman. The day after the murders, Chief Deputy Joe Woodard of the Johnson County Sheriffs Department, talked to Jenelle, Barbara and Marvin at their home, which they recorded. She did want to go in there and plead guilty, Schults told the paper. 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 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. 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. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Our nationwide meta-analysis overcomes the issues inherent in any crime database, including non-reporting and reporting errors. This is about average for all cities and towns in America of all population sizes. Daughter, mother convicted in 'Facebook murders' case asking for new Chris promised that he would have their back if they acted to protect Jenelle. Winds light and variable.. Clear skies. Follow Becky Campbell @CampbellinCourt | Like her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BeckyCampbellJCPress. Mountain City, TN: United States: Unemployment Rate: 5.3%: 5.5%: 6.0%: Recent Job Growth: 1.9%: 0.1 . Jenelle Potter had a love interest in Payne and apparently wasnt happy when he began dating Hayworth. Yes, Barbara responded. 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. You have to have hard, concrete facts in court, he added. 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. My wife has been threatened. Jenelle Potter was jealous of the couples relationship and created a CIA agent, named Chris, to get into touch with her parents, Brooks said. Their infant son was still cradled in his dead mothers arms. According to the most recent data from the FBI, the total crime rate in Mountain City is 988.1 per 100,000 people. Mountain City, TN 37683 1,208 sq. ", Prosecutor Dennis Brooks told "20/20" that social media allowed Jenelle Potter to be someone that she wasn't. She was paranoid about it.. 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. 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. Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood said the crime was the most bizarre thing hes seen in his career as a judge, but that concurrent sentences virtually guarantees the women will never be released. 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. Best Places to Live in Mountain City, Tennessee An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. 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. After Marvin Potter, who is known as "Buddy," was arrested for the murders, he also told police his daughter's life was being threatened. The post-conviction judge, William Acree, heard testimony for this appeal over a three-day period in July. In her amended petition for post- conviction relief, Petitioner argues: A. Everybody says she fell in love with Bill, but I still dont see that, said Greenwell. Relative to Tennessee, Mountain City has a crime rate that is higher than 58% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes. Emailus. 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. Chief Deputy Woodard said investigators found an arsenal of weapons around the home though none matched the murder weapon. 2023 Compare Cities Economy: Lakewood Park, FL vs Mountain City, TN On Jan. 31, 2012, a friend found Billie Jean Hayworth and Billy Payne dead by single gunshots to their faces. They unfriended me," Jenelle said. But Potter, who lived at home with her strict parents and spent most of her adult social life on social media, denies this. Methodology: Jenelle was accused of catfishing, or creating a fake social media account to convince her family that Payne and Hayworth were dangerous. There was controversy around how the Johnson County Sheriffs Office handled the murder case during the original investigation. Defense attorneys did not present any evidence, but argued that concurrent sentencing was warranted in the case. Yeah, youre going to hell. Mountain City crime rates are 69% lower than the Tennessee average. Barbara potter. 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. On Jan. 31, 2012, a friend of Payne and Hayworth found them dead by single gunshots to their faces. A withh. The NeighborhoodScout search engine is covered under US Patents No. By Becky Campbell It also gives the public a better understanding of how the criminal justice system works, Brooks said. The CIA agent Chris had apparently been corresponding with Barbara and warning her about threats to her daughters life. Start your subscription for just $5 for 3 months Subscribe. 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. 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. Morefield reportedly told investigators that the shooting was in self-defense. Property 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. Because you are guilty? Rice asked. "He was watching these people that he said were harassing her on the computer and calling her. He did different jobs. One of 6 charged with murder of North Carolina man convicted in - WCYB You have permission to edit this article. She said she was the victim of anonymous cyberbullying, some of which she believes came from Hayworth. 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.. Marvin Potter said he shot Payne accidentally, but intentionally slit the mans throat because of the threats Potter believed Payne had made toward Jenelle. 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. 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. Man killed in Johnson County officer-involved shooting While it seemed that Jenelles social life was finally blooming, she was being relentlessly bullied online with anonymous comments appearing on her Facebook page. Midway through her interview with "20/20," Jenelle Potter shut down in tears and walked out back to her cell. Like the request in 2016, this attempt revolves around new evidence. All three Potters are serving two life sentences each for the murders. 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. "Criminal Confessions" Mountain City, TN (TV Episode 2018) - IMDb She could assume a different identity and be as hateful as she wanted to be, Brooks said.