In what is one of the most senseless crimes we’ve come across in a long time, two men are currently in custody for murdering two people over a “de-friending” on Facebook. Marvin Enoch “Buddy” Potter Jr. and Jaime Lynn Curd have been charged with the murder of a young Tennessee couple who de-friended Potter’s daughter on the popular social networking site. Curd’s murder defense lawyer has said that there is more to the case than a simple click of a mouse on the internet, but wouldn’t get into details.
Jenelle Potter, the daughter of the accused and the one who was allegedly “dissed” on Facebook, has a history of overreacting to social media. She has multiple harassment charges filed against her stemming from being blocked or ignored on various social media websites. The younger Potter lives at home with her parents, and according to reports, spends most of her time on Facebook. Mike Reece, the Sherriff in Johnson County where the murders took place noted that “Once you’ve crossed her (Jenelle), you’ve crossed her father too.”
This isn’t the first time that violence has erupted as a result of Facebook. In addition to the use of social media websites to organize cyber bullying, a handful of violent crimes have sprung up around the country relating to various posts and actions on popular networking sites. Some criminals have even been caught after bragging about their exploits on social media.
This double murder, however, might just take the cake for the most senseless crime to result from a perceived Facebook transgression.
Sentencing for Murder in California can range anywhere from 25 years in prison to life in prison. In some instances a murder conviction can lead to a death sentence.
Paul Wallin
