Morefield, 55, of Mountain City, has a bond set at $50,000. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. I love my husband, but I would not sit here and lie for them," Barbara Potter said. 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. Street was pronounced dead at the scene, police report. Barbara got it to happen.. I was a bad person. Best Places to Live | Compare cost of living, crime, cities, schools and more. Their infant son was still cradled in his dead mothers arms. 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Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. His wife told 20/20 he later worked with the CIA. The tragic case rocked the entire town of Mountain City, Tennessee. 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. 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. 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. feet 2 baths - beds #2 Old Us Highway 421 Zionville, NC 28698 1,344 sq. Yeah, youre going to hell. Crime, Popular Communities Near Mountain City TN. 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. 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. Chris promised that he would have their back if they acted to protect Jenelle. I didnt murder anyone, Jenelle, pictured in jail above, told 20/20., 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. feet - baths - beds #6 Osborne Road Lansing, NC 28643 That led to discord between the one-time friends that prosecutors said ultimately ended in Payne and Hayworths deaths and the Potters being convicted of murder. He said he couldnt use his real name, his real identity.. 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. I didnt grow up here, Potter, 34, told 20/20. People here do not like outsiders.. 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. Have a tip or story idea? 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? Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. ", "[My mom and Chris] would write emails all the time back and forth, and she would tell me about him, she added. Guilty verdicts were handed out for the Potters and Curd pleaded guilty. Unfortunately in today's society, despite the fact that the officer is guilty of a crime under Title 18 USC 242, depriving a citizen of his rights "under color of law", it's unlikely that anything will happen to officer McCloud, who will remain free to intimidate citizens of Johnson County,TN and abuse his authority as he sees fit. I changed my password lots of times. But Barbara, pictured above with Marvin, didnt accept her husbands supposed confession of guilt. I did not do that," Barbara Potter told ABC News' "20/20. He said he was down here to protect me, protect my parents. Barbara Potter released a statement after her sentencing saying she hopes justice will one day prevail and her innocence be proven. Please disable your ad blocker, whitelist our site, or purchase a subscription. He survived unharmed, though he was found covered in blood. His letter accused Reece of damaging the prosecutions case with his public comments. Courtesy Tate Davis Jenelle and Her Family Adjust to Life in Mountain City The evidence was presented to the Johnson County Grand Jury and Mr. Jimmy Gale Morefield was charged with Second Degree Murder, the release reads. 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. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Hed have given the testimony he gave yesterday.. I plead guilty, your honor, Barbara reportedly said. 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. Gen. Warner Ross, Tennessee's Adjutant General, confirmed the identities of two Tennessee Army National Guard pilots killed Wednesday af. Where is 2022 data? Note: Because the rates of crime are so low in America, we use "per . 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 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. I didn't truly believe that Buddy Potter was capable of doing this, Lott said. Morefield reportedly told investigators that the shooting was in self-defense. He was tried in 2013, while his wife and daughter were tried together in 2015. Our nationwide meta-analysis overcomes the issues inherent in any crime database, including non-reporting and reporting errors. Choose wisely! And we were trying to figure out who he was. Show Every Town, Ep Mountain City, TN - Unfriended Facebook Murders - Oct 8, 2021 Defense attorneys did not present any evidence, but argued that concurrent sentencing was warranted in the case. Left to right: Jamie Curd, and his attorney Casey Sears sit with Barbara Potter (foreground), Jenelle Potter and her attorney Cameron Hyder during the sentencing hearing Tuesday as Barbara Potter's attorney, Randy Fallin addresses the court.Becky Campbell. I dont want anybody murdered. According to a release from the Mountain City Police Department, officers were called to the 300 block of Industrial Drive on November 14, 2020. 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. Other US patent applications are currently pending. 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. You have to have hard, concrete facts in court, he added. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. Low around 35F. In a tiny town in Tennessee, a young couple are brutally shot, execution style in their home. For Jenelle Potter, she will be 86 years old when shes eligible for release. Potter reportedly agreed. 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. Because we knew that they had trouble with [Hayworth and Payne], Woodard told 20/20.. February 3, 2023. feet 1 baths 3 beds #3 Highway 133 Shady Valley, TN 37688 1,120 sq. Listen to "39: Catfishing in Mountain City, TN: The Facebook Murders" on Spreaker. 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. Payne, 36, and Hayworth, 23, were killed about three years ago in their Mountain City home by Marvin Potter and Jamie Curd. When they impounded Marvins truck, they found bags of shredded documents, pictured above. The 2019 Mountain City crime rate fell by 41% compared to 2018. Fallins argument at that trial was that Marvin Potter, convicted in 2013, had nothing to do with the murders. Buddy and Jenelles convictions were both upheld on appeal. 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. Counsel made no such arguments despite the evidence which was available to support the arguments. Jenelle Potter's former friends Billie Jean Hayworth, Billy Payne were murdered. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Subscriber Verification(Must be Logged In Using Free Account). The murders shocked the public conscious, leading cases to be moved out of the county because of pre-trial publicity, and were also the subject of a book penned Deputy District Attorney Dennis Brooks titled, Too Pretty to Live, the Catfishing Murders of East Tennessee.. Jenelle Potter was jealous of the couples relationship and created a CIA agent, named Chris, to get into touch with her parents, Brooks said. Now six years after the Potter women were convicted and five years after their original petition for a new trial, Marvin is speaking out. 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). Copyright 2000-2023 Location Inc. Jenelle Potter said she had trouble making friends when she lived in Mountain City, Tenn. Jenelle Potter, left, and Jamie Curd, right, started dating after Tracy Greenwell set them up. Create a password that only you will remember. Chief Deputy Woodard said investigators found an arsenal of weapons around the home though none matched the murder weapon. Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood said the crime was the most bizarre thing hes seen in his career as as judge, but that concurrent sentences virtually guarantees the women will never be released. 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. 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. Barbara got it to happen," agent Lott said. Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Story of Mountain City Facebook murders reaches national audience in book, tv special. He now says what triggered his actions was evidence presented by Curd that his daughter was being bullied. Marvin Buddy Potter husband of Barbara and father to Jenelle was also convicted of the murders. Jenelle said one of her Facebook friends, Billie Jean Hayworth, was the one behind the attacks because Hayworth was jealous of her looks. 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. 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. Rental prices in Mountain City are 40% lower than the . All three Potters are serving two life sentences each for the murders. 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. Washington County District Attorney's Office. Jenelles Dad Admits to Being Involved in Murders. A few months later, in October 2013, Marvin was found guilty for the murders and is currently serving two life sentences. Police also honed in on Jenelle and Curds text messages with each other the morning of the murders. Barbara potter. 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. Jenelle Potter lived with her parents Barbara Potter and Marvin Potter, pictured together here. Considering this evidence, the Court concludes Mr. Fallin operated under a conflict of interest in representing both Barbara and Marvin Potter in this case.. 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. There were some discussions that he would testify at his wifes trial, but ultimately he did not. Potter had a crush on Payne and wanted him and Hayworth dead after they moved in together and had a child, according to prosecutors. Relative to Tennessee, Mountain City has a crime rate that is higher than 58% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes. Both. Jenelle spent time with Greenwell and her friends, including Greenwells brother Billy Payne. If you can show trial counsel had a conflict of interest, then you didnt have independent representation. 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. [They] threatened to get [me] raped, Jenelle said. Shults, who represented Barbara Potter in this part of her appeal, said his client was entitled to due process and independent counsel for her trial. Winds light and variable. The CIA agent Chris had apparently been corresponding with Barbara and warning her about threats to her daughters life. Winds light and variable.. Clear skies. 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. On Jan. 31, 2012, a friend found Billie Jean Hayworth and Billy Payne dead by single gunshots to their faces. He entered that plea to facilitation to commit murder Tuesday prior to the Potter womens sentencing hearing. I wanted the harassment to stop," Potter said. Violent 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? 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 sentences concurrently, a judge ruled, giving the younger woman at least some chance of being paroled. Everybody says she fell in love with Bill, but I still dont see that, said Greenwell. Keep an eye out for more updates on the Facebook Murders. In this photo, a rock is pictured found on the front lawn of the Potter family's home. "We've had enough. And they interviewed him for hours, Barbara told 20/20. When his oxygen gets low, he says things that dont make sense or are incorrect., Jenelle and Her Family Are Investigated for the Murders. 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. On Jan. 31, 2012, a friend of Payne and Hayworth found them dead by single gunshots to their faces. 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. The case was dubbed the Facebook murders because Jenelle Potter was unfriended by Payne and Hayworth on the social media site. Appearing in Washington County Court on Wednesday, Barbara Potter, 69, pleaded guilty to two counts of facilitation of .