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20/20 · Podcast summary

Am I Next? (Rebroadcast)

The Johnson County murder trial of Barbara and Janelle Potter, a mother and daughter accused of killing a local couple, is underway in Jonesboro.

Am I Next? (Rebroadcast) Listen on the show ↗

The digest

This podcast episode delves into the shocking and complex murder trial of Barbara and Janelle Potter, a mother and daughter accused of the murders of Billy Payne and Billie Jean Hayworth. The case, which has garnered significant attention in the Johnson County community, unfolds with layers of online harassment, family manipulation, and a web of deceit.

The Discovery of a Double Murder

The episode opens with the chilling discovery of the murders of Billy Payne and Billie Jean Hayworth in their Mountain City, East Tennessee home. The victims were found dead in their beds, with Billie Jean holding her seven-month-old son, Tyler, who miraculously survived unharmed. The crime scene revealed a brutal attack: Billy Payne had been shot in the head and his throat was slit, while Billie Jean was also shot in the head. The lack of forced entry and the undisturbed nature of the house suggested that the victims knew their attackers or that the perpetrators had easy access to the home. This immediately raised suspicions among investigators, as such violent crimes were uncommon in the tight-knit community of Mountain City.

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  1. The Online Feud and the Potters' Involvement
  2. Jamie Curd: The Confession and the Setup
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