"I didn't murder anyone," Jenelle Potter told ABC News' "20/20.". Invalid password or account does not exist. 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. Daughter, mother convicted in 'Facebook murders' case asking for new Violent Crime Comparison (per 1,000 residents), Property Crime Comparison (per 1,000 residents). I just disliked them. ", 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. 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. Jenelle Potter lived with her parents Barbara Potter and Marvin Potter, pictured together here. I just needed to lay it out. It takes a cold-blooded person to shoot someone holding a baby, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Scott Lott told 20/20.. Barbara Potter released a statement after her sentencing saying she hopes justice will one day prevail and her innocence be proven. "Match Any Neighborhood" calculates the Match Level of one neighborhood to another using more than 200 characteristics of each neighborhood. According to Johnson City Press, Jenelle and Hayworth were one-time friends. The release states officers found Teddy Allen Street lying on the roadway with a gunshot wound to the neck.. Please disable your ad blocker, whitelist our site, or purchase a subscription. The Mountain City TN murder/homicide rate for 2015 was 0 per 100,000 population, a NAN% decline from 2014. Mountain City, TN - Unfriended Facebook Murders When the Potter women went on trial in 2015, Marvin Potters case was still on appeal. No one wants to kill anyone but we will," Barbara Potter wrote in the email. The CIA agent Chris had apparently been corresponding with Barbara and warning her about threats to her daughters life. Posing as Chris, Jenelle reportedly convinced Barbara that the CIA had sent an agent to Mountain City to protect Jenelle from Hayworth and Payne. 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 . Street was pronounced dead at the scene, police report. It also gives the public a better understanding of how the criminal justice system works, Brooks said. Mountain City, TN: United States: Unemployment Rate: 5.3%: 5.5%: 6.0%: Recent Job Growth: 1.9%: 0.1 . Somebody hated her. "Criminal Confessions" Mountain City, TN (TV Episode 2018) - IMDb This is about average for all cities and towns in America of all population sizes. 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. 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. Jenelle Potter: ABC '20/20 Takes Look At Facebook Murder Of Mountain 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. Potter was once friendly with Payne in person, hanging out at barbecues and even going rappelling together. Mountain City, TN - AreaVibes Garland also had some harsh words for Barbara Potter, answering a question posed in one of Barbaras emails. ", Prosecutor Dennis Brooks told "20/20" that social media allowed Jenelle Potter to be someone that she wasn't. UPDATE: Mother, daughter receive concurrent life sentences in 2012 Mountain City double murder; co-conspirator gets 25 years - PHOTOS/VIDEO, Subscriber Verification(Must be Logged In Using Free Account). They also discovered printed photos of the victim and her friends in the living room. 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. 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. Trial counsel H. Randolph Fallin operated under a conflict of interest resulting from his representing both Petitioner and her husband, Marvin Buddy Potter. [They] threatened to get [me] raped, Jenelle said. Because we knew that they had trouble with [Hayworth and Payne], Woodard told 20/20.. Story of Mountain City Facebook murders reaches national audience in book, tv special. I was horrible. Payne, 36, and Hayworth, 23, were killed about three years ago in their Mountain City home by Marvin Potter and Jamie Curd. High 57F. Jamie Curd, Marvin Potter's friend, has also been charged in the murders. Jenelle spent time with Greenwell and her friends, including Greenwells brother Billy Payne. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Yes, Barbara responded. 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.. Read more. Crime risk data are updated annually. Press Senior Reporter He survived unharmed, though he was found covered in blood. I didnt grow up here, Potter, 34, told 20/20. People here do not like outsiders.. Buddy and Jenelles convictions were both upheld on appeal. feet 1 baths 3 beds #3 Highway 133 Shady Valley, TN 37688 1,120 sq. I think that we did it to each other. Rental prices in Mountain City are 40% lower than the . 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. Were guaranteed that in our Constitution, Shults said. Curd took a plea deal of 25 years in prison. Armed with evidence that he believed proved the entire family was involved, prosecutors also charged Barbara Potter and Jenelle Potter in the killings. You have permission to edit this article. Jenelle Potter was jealous of the couples relationship and created a CIA agent, named Chris, to get into touch with her parents, Brooks said. But a feud on social media erupted and, eventually, they deleted each other as friends on Facebook. The book discusses the police investigation that Brooks said made the crime even more interesting. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Data Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation - Crime in the U.S. MLA Citation: Other Cities in TN; City Name Population Rate; Ridgely: 1,662: 60.17: Bean Station: 3,094: 32.32: Savannah: 6,968: 28.70: Hed have given the testimony he gave yesterday.. "He was watching these people that he said were harassing her on the computer and calling her. I did Bill first and then I think Billie did me. In this photo, a rock is pictured found on the front lawn of the Potter family's home. The prosecutor noted that the case is layered and the subjects are compelling. Burton (girls) triumph in triple-header at UVa-Wise, VHSL HOOPS: Eight state quarterfinals on tap tonight for local squads, Five new businesses set to come to The Pinnacle, Farmville native caught with 42 lbs of cocaine, $862K in drug money gets 17 years, VHSL HOOPS: Parker Bandy's emergence key for Honaker Tigers, In Tennessee, a Medicaid mix-up might land you on a most wanted list, Recent cases prompt authorities to warn parents of social media's risks, Alaskas Iditarod kicks off with ceremonial start, Global race is on to improve EV range in the cold, Dogs, mushers prep for Iditarod as PETA accuses racers of animal abuse. Please disable your ad blocker, whitelist our site, or purchase a subscription. Its just not in her.. Petitioner also could have argued that if she was guilty of anything, she was guilty of lesser offenses. Low around 35F. Their infant son was still cradled in his dead mother's arms. Keep an eye out for more updates on the Facebook Murders. Marvin Buddy Potter husband of Barbara and father to Jenelle was also convicted of the murders. Now six years after the Potter women were convicted and five years after their original petition for a new trial, Marvin is speaking out. With no evidence or DNA left at the crime scene, police rely on the rumor mill and their instincts to try and identify suspects. His wife told 20/20 he later worked with the CIA. Data for all 32,900 zip codes in one easy-to-use Excel file Mountain City, Tn Housing Market Highlights ECONOMY But Barbara, pictured above with Marvin, didnt accept her husbands supposed confession of guilt. Billie Jean Hayworth and Billy Payne were found shot dead in their home. 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. 2013 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. They kept referring to a guy Chris thats supposedly a CIA operative or something, special agent Lott said. 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% My dad even tried to meet him places, try to talk to him.. Tenn. father charged with murdering couple who"unfriended" daughter on But when an online feud erupted, two of her former friends were found murdered in their home while their baby survived. Invalid password or account does not exist. Winds light and variable.. Clear skies. The 262-page book was written after the final verdicts were read in the case in Johnson County, Tennessee. Washington County District Attorney's Office. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. According to the most recent data from the FBI, the total crime rate in Mountain City is 988.1 per 100,000 people. feet - baths - beds #6 Osborne Road Lansing, NC 28643 Jenelle Potter had a love interest in Payne and apparently wasnt happy when he began dating Hayworth. Instead of being herself, my parents tried to make her fit in. There was a 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, JCP reported. Curd agreed to a plea deal of 25 years in prison. On Jan. 31, 2012, a friend of Payne and Hayworth found them dead by single gunshots to their faces. In her amended petition for post- conviction relief, Petitioner argues: A. Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. 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. 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.. [The text messages were] very telling about Jenelle being involved in the preparation for the killing, prosecutor Dennis Brooks told 20/20.. Barbara Potter Pleads Guilty in 'Facebook Murders' Case - Law & Crime Potter and Curd were arraigned Wednesday. He was a sports writer at the Johnson City Press and a stringer for the Bristol Herald Courier and Maryville Daily Times. 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 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. 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. Story of Mountain City Facebook murders reaches national audience in While Marvin was being questioned, police executed a search warrant on the Potter house. Rice asked Barbara to confirm that her current attorney, Scott Schults, had performed his job to the best of his abilities, which she did. Authorities seized 51 items from the house, including their family computer. He had dogs. I thought lets see where this goes. I rekindled my love of writing.. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. Prosecutor Brooks told the jury that Jenelle authored all the emails from Chris by pointing out the childish writing and misspellings matched her pattern of speech. Assistant District Attorney General Dennis Brooks. And I unfriended her., Jenelles Former Friends Are Found Murdered. 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. Although Brooks is excited to have completed and published a book, hes still a prosecutor. Attorney Scott Shults, right, talks to his client, Barbara Potter on Wednesday, July 14. You have permission to edit this article. Please dont do this, Jenelles mom Barbara said. 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. 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. I dont want anybody murdered. Start your subscription for just $5 for 3 months Subscribe. 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. Crime, My Chances of Becoming a Victim of a 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. His letter accused Reece of damaging the prosecutions case with his public comments. In addition to the conflict between Mr. Fallins duties to the Potters as counsel and the Fallins business interests in the Potter property and finances, the system of dual representation and dual payment in this case appears to have created in Mr. Fallins mind the impression that Marvin and Barbara were in this together. Accordingly, Mr. Fallin chose to view the couples legal fortunes as one and the same rather than recognizing the distinct prosecutorial theories involved in the spouses cases and pursuing the different defenses required to rebut the different theories of prosecution. I love my husband, but I would not sit here and lie for them," Barbara Potter said. You can cancel at any time. I didn't truly believe that Buddy Potter was capable of doing this, Lott said. 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. Cause I wasnt born and raised here. bcampbell@johnsoncitypress.com, One of three Facebook murder convictions overturned, mother granted new trial. From time to time, Curd would visit the Potter house to fix the family computer. Please disable your ad blocker, whitelist our site, or purchase a subscription. 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. He was tried in 2013, while his wife and daughter were tried together in 2015. The murder occurred after months of allegations from Potter's. There was a problem saving your notification. MOUNTAIN CITY, Tenn. (WCYB) One of six people charged in the kidnapping and murder of a North Carolina man was found guilty in a Johnson County, Tennessee courtroom. I wanted the harassment to stop," Potter said. They took no medication. Their infant son was still cradled in his dead mothers arms. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. And the worst part of it their 8-month-old baby was found still lying in the arms of his dead mother. There were some discussions that he would testify at his wifes trial, but ultimately he did not. She was paranoid about it.. She said she was the victim of anonymous cyberbullying, some of which she believes came from Hayworth. Janie Hayworth, older sister to Billie Jean Hayworth, and Beverly Garland, mother of Payne, both said the loss of their loved one greatly affected their families, and their lives would never be the same. You have permission to edit this article. A few months later, in October 2013, Marvin was found guilty for the murders and is currently serving two life sentences. 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. That sentence is also concurrent to her life sentences. Jenelle Potter said her father became more protective with her because of the alleged threats she was receiving. A life sentence in Tennessee requires a inmate serve 51 years before being eligible for parole. Note: Because the rates of crime are so low in America, we use "per . If he had testified while his case was on appeal, that would have upset that process because at his wife and daughters post-conviction hearing, he did testify. 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. Emailus. A feud erupted on social media with Curd, Paynes cousin, taking Jenelles side. Mountain City Murder (Hannah Scrabble Cozy Mysteries Book 3) / CBS News. Guilty verdicts were handed out for the Potters and Curd pleaded guilty. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. Couple Murdered for 'Unfriending' Woman On Facebook - The Daily Beast Law enforcement officials have been involved in other incidents where Potter's daughter, Jenelle Potter, thought she had been slighted by someone. Mr. Fallin made no effort to explain a potential conflict or obtain informed waivers from Barbara and Marvin. Curd said as soon as he realized what was happening and saw the bodies, he ran out of the house and back to the truck. The 38-year-old Curd reportedly had a romantic interest in Janelle Potter. Detectives had Curd call Marvin to get a confession on tape. Acrees ruling, filed Wednesday in Washington County, stated that Fallins representation of both Marvin and Barbara Potter negated Barbara Potter of a fair trial. I changed my password lots of times. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. 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. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 1. The shocking murder left 36-year-old Billy Clay Payne and 23-year-old Billie Jean Hayworth dead. But Jenelle Potter said Chris was using her email to protect his identity. A gruesome execution style double murder of a young couple shakes a small mountain community in Eastern Tennessee. Convicted Tennessee Woman Denies Wanting Couple Dead After Social Media Jenelles sister Christie Groover, whos been estranged from the family for a decade, said Jenelle struggled to make friends growing up. The Real 'Fatal Attraction' Killer - Jennifer Reali - Colorado Springs, CO. Jenelle and Her Family Adjust to Life in Mountain City. Crime risk indices are nationally comparable on a 1 100 scale, where 100 means safer than 100% of U.S. neighborhoods. Every Town 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. This equates to a rate of 3 per one thousand inhabitants. 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