In one incident, police photographed a rock, pictured above, that was found in the Potters front yard with the names Billy Payne and Billie Jean written on it. Payne, 36, and Hayworth, 23, were killed about three years ago in their Mountain City home by Marvin Potter and Jamie Curd. I walked away from that (post-conviction) hearing myself having concerns about that representation.. According to a release from the Mountain City Police Department, officers were called to the 300 block of Industrial Drive on November 14, 2020. The couple was killed in their home on January 31, 2012. [Jenelle said] she wished that Bill and Billie Jean and that damn baby would die. This conflict, Petitioner asserts, denied her a fair trial and also constituted the ineffective assistance of counsel; B. Mr. Fallin rendered ineffective assistance of counsel at trial based on counsels other actions at trial and on appeal; C. The State withheld exculpatory evidence, in violation of its obligations under Brady v. Maryland, thus denying Petitioner due process and a fair trial.. The case was dubbed the Facebook murders because Jenelle Potter was unfriended by Payne and Hayworth on the social media site. All the trademarks displayed on this page are the property of Location, Inc. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Jenelle Potter's former friends Billie Jean Hayworth, Billy Payne were murdered. He was tried in 2013, while his wife and daughter were tried together in 2015. If you can show trial counsel had a conflict of interest, then you didnt have independent representation. "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. 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. Guilty verdicts were handed out for the Potters and Curd pleaded guilty. Instead of being herself, my parents tried to make her fit in. Yeah, youre going to hell. A withh. Morefield reportedly told investigators that the shooting was in self-defense. 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). 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. I only have that book because of someone elses tragedy, Brooks said. My dad even tried to meet him places, try to talk to him.. When they impounded Marvins truck, they found bags of shredded documents, pictured above. Jenelle Potter said she had trouble making friends when she lived in Mountain City, Tenn. Jerry Lambe is a journalist at Law&Crime. The two were shot to death in their Mountain City . And, finally, they just pushed him to his limit where he couldn't take it anymore.. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. In the last 5 years Mountain City has seen decline of violent crime and decreasing property crime. The NeighborhoodScout search engine is covered under US Patents No. If you can show the attorney had a conflict of interest, then prejudice is presumed. ", Prosecutor Dennis Brooks told "20/20" that social media allowed Jenelle Potter to be someone that she wasn't. At that point all you need to show is that conflict adversely affected your attorneys performance. Buddy and Jenelles convictions were both upheld on appeal. I plead guilty, your honor, Barbara reportedly said. 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. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). January 24, 2013 / 2:29 PM Our nationwide meta-analysis overcomes the issues inherent in any crime database, including non-reporting and reporting errors. Janelle kind of spurred it. 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. When she invented Chris, she could assume a different identity and be as hateful as she wanted to be.". Mountain City crime rates are 69% lower than the Tennessee average. 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. The Real 'Fatal Attraction' Killer - Jennifer Reali - Colorado Springs, CO. 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 statement also said Buddy Potter was innocent and that it was Curd who planned and carried out the murders. They unfriended me, Jenelle said. After being at the interrogation for nearly six hours, Curd told police Jenelles dad Marvin killed Hayworth and Payne. At that time, Reeces only statement was that he would not respond to the letter in question. Barbara and Jenelle Potter, who will be the subject of an ABC 20/20 segment later this year, continue to deny any involvement in the murders. She did want to go in there and plead guilty, Schults told the paper. 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. Agent Lott said, "Barbara would take this information and show it to Buddy: 'Buddy, look, look what they're trying to do to Jenelle.' For Jenelle Potter, she will be 86 years old when shes eligible for release. Jenelle said one of her Facebook friends, Billie Jean Hayworth, was the one behind the attacks because Hayworth was jealous of her looks. 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. 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. 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. 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. I dont want people to think, Hes just prosecuting the case to write another book, said Brooks, who does not know whether hell ever write another book. The tragic case rocked the entire town of Mountain City, Tennessee. feet 1 baths - beds #4 Ivy Branch Mountain Rd Creston, NC 28615 - sq. "She may be on a fourth-grade level, but she has a Ph.D. in manipulation," Brooks, the prosecutor, said. Paynes stepfather, David Garland, sent copies of a letter addressed to the acting sheriff, Mike Reece, to The Tomahawk in July 2012. Hayworth was dating Billy Payne, and the couple lived together with their infant son. Authorities seized 51 items from the house, including their family computer. 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! Their infant son was still cradled in his dead mother's arms. Low 33F. Appearing in Washington County Court on Wednesday, Barbara Potter, 69, pleaded guilty to two counts of facilitation of . We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Were guaranteed that in our Constitution, Shults said. Violent Crime Comparison (per 1,000 residents), Property Crime Comparison (per 1,000 residents). Mr. Fallin was not granted power of attorney over the Potter family assets counsels daughter Jessica was. "I love my daughter. A feud erupted on social media with Curd, Paynes cousin, taking Jenelles side. Jenelle and Her Family Adjust to Life in Mountain City. The Rules of Professional Conduct impute the actions of non-lawyers to their attorney employers. Property 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. Hayworth died while holding her 7-month-old baby boy. Potter lived most of her adult life on social media. Crime, My Chances of Becoming a Victim of a "I did Bill first and then I think Billie did me. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? 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. "I went through a lot with them, but I never wished them dead. Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. The family patriarch, Marvin Potter, is already serving two consecutive life sentences after being convicted in October 2013 of the murders. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Albright was initially arrested on Friday, August 14, 2020, and charged with first . Wed have the right to appeal that, but if a judge sets forth sound legal reasoning, its hard to win an appeal, Brooks said. From time to time, Curd would visit the Potter house to fix the family computer. The post-conviction judge, William Acree, heard testimony for this appeal over a three-day period in July. At one point, Barbara ripped the photos that were found in what seemed to be an attempt to hide them from police. His letter accused Reece of damaging the prosecutions case with his public comments. For Jenelle Potter, she will be 86 years old when shes eligible for release. Theyve threatened to take Jenelle, cut her head off.. 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. You can cancel at any time. "He said he couldn't use his real name, his real identity," Barbara Potter said. Marvin Potter, Barbara Potter and Jenelle Potter are all planning to appeal their convictions. I think they would be called masterminds, said Lott. Assistant District Attorney Dennis Brooks will officially release Too Pretty to Live: The Catfishing Murders of East Tennessee on Tuesday by Diversion Publishing. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Our nationally-comparable school ratings are covered under US Patent No. Janelle kind of spurred it. According to a release from the. Winds light and variable.. Clear skies. This equates to a rate of 3 per one thousand inhabitants. Police had a major breakthrough in their investigation of the murders after interviewing Potter's boyfriend, Jamie Curd, who admitted to being involved in the murders and told police that Jenelle Potters father, Marvin Potter, shot Hayworth and Payne to protect his daughter from what he perceived as an imminent threat? Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. 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 murder occurred after months of allegations from Potter's. Start your subscription for just $5 for 3 months appearing in washington county court on wednesday, barbara potter, 69, pleaded guilty to two counts of . Then, too, she wanted to make amends with what had happened. You have to have hard, concrete facts in court, he added. Discover your neighborhood's best match, anywhere. 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% 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. February 3, 2023. 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. 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. 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 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 from Barbaras perspective, shed already had that trial one time. 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. She was paranoid about it.. Barbara got it to happen.. I unfriended them. It also gives the public a better understanding of how the criminal justice system works, Brooks said. Select your ideal criteria and let Scout do the rest. Because you are guilty? Rice asked. 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. Jenelle Potter during her murder trial in Jonesborough in 2020. Burton girls; Twin Springs boys win 2nd straight region title, VHSL QUARTERFINALS: Floyd County (boys), Wise Central (girls), J.I. I was horrible. 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. Prosecutors believe Jenelle used the false identity to fool her parents and to goad Marvin into the killing. . Billie Jean Hayworth and Billy Payne were found shot dead in their home. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. That case focused on information revealed from Deputy District Attorney Dennis Brooks book on the case, Too Pretty to Live, the Catfishing Murders of East Tennessee. Barbara and Jenelle Potters attorneys are focusing this new request around Marvin Potters never-before-heard testimony on the chain of events. His wife told 20/20 he later worked with the CIA. 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. 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Potter and Curd were arraigned Wednesday. Create a password that only you will remember. 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.