Barbara Potters post-conviction attorney, Scott Shults, successfully argued that his clients trial attorney, Randy Fallin, was deficient in representing her because he also had represented Marvin Potter. Marvin Potter said he shot Payne accidentally, but intentionally slit the mans throat because of the threats Potter believed Payne had made toward Jenelle. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. I wanted the harassment to stop," Potter said. Jenelle Potter during her murder trial in Jonesborough in 2020. It appears to this Court that Jessica Fallin exploited the lack of a written fee agreement between the Potters and Mr. Fallin, counsels lack of direct supervision over his daughters actions, and the Potters preoccupation with their legal issues to sell Potter family property (at least some of which was done in Mr. Fallins office) and otherwise appropriate Potter family finances to the tune of approximately $300,000 during the life of Mr. Fallins representation of the family. ", "[My mom and Chris] would write emails all the time back and forth, and she would tell me about him, she added. Although Brooks is excited to have completed and published a book, hes still a prosecutor. 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. Invalid password or account does not exist. The feud ended with Payne and Hayworth unfriending Jenelle on the social media site, according to the report. 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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. 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. Law enforcement officials have been involved in other incidents where Potter's daughter, Jenelle Potter, thought she had been slighted by someone. He told Barbara, I did it. That's as close to a confession as we got from him, said Lott. Low around 35F. Mountain City TN Murder/Homicide Rate 2005-2018 | MacroTrends Have a tip or story idea? Yeah, youre going to hell. 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. 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. Date(s) & Update Frequency: Updated annually. How a Social Media Feud Led to the Murder of a Young - ABC News One of 6 charged with murder of North Carolina man convicted in - WCYB The Mountain City TN murder/homicide rate for 2015 was 0 per 100,000 population, a NAN% decline from 2014. You can cancel at any time. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. In a tiny town in Tennessee, a young couple are brutally shot, execution style in their home. And on the Potters computer, police analysis found that hundreds of emails sent from the CIA agent Chris all came from the same IP address as the home where the Potters lived. Cost of living in Mountain City is 5% lower than the Tennessee average. For more information about the book, visit www.diversionbooks.com. Other US patent applications are currently pending. "Criminal Confessions" Mountain City, TN (TV Episode 2018) - IMDb Jenelle Potter: ABC '20/20 Takes Look At Facebook Murder Of Mountain Whats happening this weekend around the Tri-Cities? 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. Listen to Mountain City, TN - Unfriended Facebook Murders and seventy-seven more episodes by Every Town, free! 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. He was a sports writer at the Johnson City Press and a stringer for the Bristol Herald Courier and Maryville Daily Times. feet - baths - beds #6 Osborne Road Lansing, NC 28643 Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. The Real 'Fatal Attraction' Killer - Jennifer Reali - Colorado Springs, CO. While Marvin was being questioned, police executed a search warrant on the Potter house. Were guaranteed that in our Constitution, Shults said. 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. An agent meticulously reconstructed more than 100 pages of what appeared to be thousands of emails sent to the Potter family. 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 think that we did it to each other. Jenelle Potters convictions were upheld in a separate opinion issued by Acree. Payne and Hayworth were shot inside their Johnson County home early that morning while Payne was getting ready for work. Like her husband and daughter, Barbara was sentenced to serve life in prison. If you can show trial counsel had a conflict of interest, then you didnt have independent representation. Both. Clear skies. 7,043,501 and 7,680,859. Crime rate in Mountain City, TN - City-Data 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. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. 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. I only have that book because of someone elses tragedy, Brooks said. Winds light and variable. Winds light and variable. He had dogs. Their infant son was still cradled in his dead mother's arms. Greenwell introduced Jenelle to her cousin Jamie Curd, who is handy with computers. Assistant District Attorney Dennis Brooks will officially release Too Pretty to Live: The Catfishing Murders of East Tennessee on Tuesday by Diversion Publishing. Mr. Fallin made no effort to explain a potential conflict or obtain informed waivers from Barbara and Marvin. Facebook Murders revisited: "I did that on purpose" | News Wed have the right to appeal that, but if a judge sets forth sound legal reasoning, its hard to win an appeal, Brooks said. 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 plead guilty, your honor, Barbara reportedly said. 2013 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Now let us turn to take a look at how Mountain City does for violent crimes specifically, and then how it does for property crimes. Press Senior Reporter It also gives the public a better understanding of how the criminal justice system works, Brooks said. Barbara Potter Pleads Guilty in 'Facebook Murders' Case - Law & Crime Mountain City, Tennessee (TN 37683) profile: population, maps, real According to the most recent data from the FBI, the total crime rate in Mountain City is 988.1 per 100,000 people. 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. He did different jobs. When they impounded Marvins truck, they found bags of shredded documents, pictured above. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and New York Law School and previously worked in financial securities compliance and Civil Rights employment law. Raw data sources: I did Bill first and then I think Billie did me. Assistant District Attorney General Dennis Brooks. Detectives had Curd call Marvin to get a confession on tape. Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. 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. Jenelle Potter's mother, Barbara Potter, told "20/20" that Chris told her in emails that he was watching her family's every move and was monitoring what Payne and Hayworth were allegedly saying on social media about her daughter. [They] threatened to get [me] raped, Jenelle said. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Rice asked Barbara to confirm that her current attorney, Scott Schults, had performed his job to the best of his abilities, which she did. But Potter, who lived at home with her strict parents and spent most of her adult social life on social media, denies this. 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, TN - Unfriended Facebook Murders The couple was killed in their home on January 31, 2012. Keep an eye out for more updates on the Facebook Murders. Curd received a 25-year sentence on facilitation to second-degree murder charge. Their relationship went south when Hayworth began dating Payne, whom she allegedly knew Jenelle was pining for. The post-conviction judge, William Acree, heard testimony for this appeal over a three-day period in July. Mountain City, TN Crime Rates & Map - AreaVibes A withh. Mountain City Crime and Safety | NewsBreak Mountain City, TN You have permission to edit this article. From time to time, Curd would visit the Potter house to fix the family computer. Chief Deputy Woodard said investigators found an arsenal of weapons around the home though none matched the murder weapon. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. According to Mountain City PD, the suspect, identified as Jimmy Gale Morefield, waited for officers to arrive at the scene of the shooting. The release states officers found Teddy Allen Street lying on the roadway with a gunshot wound to the neck.. Washington County District Attorney's Office. 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. Please subscribe to keep reading. He also pointed out that based on time served, she had already completed the 30-percent of her sentence required to be eligible for parole. Billie Jean Hayworth and Billy Payne were found shot dead in their home. Somebody wanted to kill her, Greenwell said. He now says what triggered his actions was evidence presented by Curd that his daughter was being bullied. With no evidence or DNA left at the crime scene, police rely on the rumor mill and their instincts to try and identify suspects. Robert Littleton was. Select your ideal criteria and let Scout do the rest. The statement also said Buddy Potter was innocent and that it was Curd who planned and carried out the murders. Everybody says she fell in love with Bill, but I still dont see that, said Greenwell. Please dont do this, Jenelles mom Barbara said. Mountain City Tn Unfriended Facebook Murders - ThemeLower "I emailed him through my email, and I said, you know, 'How'd you get my screenname, password?' 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. 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.. 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 38-year-old Curd reportedly had a romantic interest in Janelle Potter. I love my husband, but I would not sit here and lie for them," Barbara Potter said. Crime risk indices are nationally comparable on a 1 100 scale, where 100 means safer than 100% of U.S. neighborhoods. High 57F. 39: Catfishing in Mountain City, TN: The Facebook Murders - Spreaker Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. 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. I remember I wrote, Please do not write on Jenelles Facebook. I begged them. "I went through a lot with them, but I never wished them dead. A few months later, in October 2013, Marvin was found guilty for the murders and is currently serving two life sentences. On Jan. 31, 2012, a friend found Billie Jean Hayworth and Billy Payne dead by single gunshots to their faces. She certainly could have. Its just not in her.. Albright was initially arrested on Friday, August 14, 2020, and charged with first . Morefield reportedly told investigators that the shooting was in self-defense. There were some discussions that he would testify at his wifes trial, but ultimately he did not. Based on FBI crime data, Mountain City is not one of the safest communities in America. Buddy and Jenelles convictions were both upheld on appeal. The 262-page book was written after the final verdicts were read in the case in Johnson County, Tennessee. Potter lived most of her adult life on social media. Attorneys respond to 'guilty' plea, reduced sentence of - WJHL A feud erupted on social media with Curd, Paynes cousin, taking Jenelles side. Social media allowed Jenelle Potter to be someone that she wasnt She invented Chris. "I didn't murder anyone," Jenelle Potter told ABC News' "20/20. Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Mountain City Murder (Hannah Scrabble Cozy Mysteries Book 3) Kindle Edition by Marty Donnellan (Author) Format: Kindle Edition 39 ratings Book 2 of 2: Hannah Scrabble Cozy Mysteries Kindle $0.00 Read with Kindle Unlimited to also enjoy access to over 1 million more titles $3.99 to buy Paperback $9.99 5 New from $9.99 The year is 1978. In this photo, a rock is pictured found on the front lawn of the Potter family's home. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Curd agreed to a plea deal of 25 years in prison. They kept referring to a guy Chris thats supposedly a CIA operative or something, special agent Lott said. 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. Show Every Town, Ep Mountain City, TN - Unfriended Facebook Murders - Oct 8, 2021 Mountain City, TN - Unfriended Facebook Murders Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. That sentence is also concurrent to her life sentences. 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. Subscribe Now. 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. Raw crime incidents are sourced from all 18,000+ local law enforcement agencies municipal, county, transit, park, port, university, tribal and more, assigned to localities, then built into NeighborhoodScouts proprietary predictive models to provide a comprehensive crime risk profile for every neighborhood and address-vicinity in the U.S. More about NeighborhoodScouts crime data methodology, By sending this Report you agree to NeighborhoodScout's, My Chances of Becoming a Victim of a Police: Man charged with second-degree murder after November shooting Jenelle and Her Family Adjust to Life in Mountain City. However, Jessica Fallin, in addition to being counsels daughter, was her fathers employee. Hayworth was dating Billy Payne, and the couple lived together with their infant son. 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. And the worst part of it their 8-month-old baby was found still lying in the arms of his dead mother. My dad even tried to meet him places, try to talk to him.. [Jenelle said] she wished that Bill and Billie Jean and that damn baby would die. 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. Jamie Curd, Marvin Potter's friend, has also been charged in the murders. . Cause I wasnt born and raised here. 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. 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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. "He was watching these people that he said were harassing her on the computer and calling her. Jenelles sister Christie Groover, whos been estranged from the family for a decade, said Jenelle struggled to make friends growing up. Best Places to Live in Mountain City, Tennessee And I unfriended her.". Because you are guilty? Rice asked. ", Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Copyright 2000-2023 Location Inc. Nothing ever showed up in my sent box," Jenelle Potter said. Their infant son was still cradled in his dead mother's arms. Theyve threatened to take Jenelle, cut her head off.. 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. The book is written in the first person perspective and tells what led to the brutal murder. 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 three Potters are serving two life sentences each for the murders. 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. thetomahawk.com | The Tomahawk Local News for Mountain City Tennessee [photo credit: YouTube] Jenelle Potter, pictured above, said she had trouble making friends when she moved to Mountain City, Tennessee, in 2005. 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. Barbara got it to happen," agent Lott said. Director Adam Kassen Stars Marken Greenwood Danny McFarland Diana Caban Velez He survived unharmed, though he was found covered in blood. 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. 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. I've done everything. The family patriarch, Marvin Potter, is already serving two consecutive life sentences after being convicted in October 2013 of the murders. "She may be on a fourth-grade level, but she has a Ph.D. in manipulation," Brooks, the prosecutor, said. 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.