Potter Murder Case Bound Over To Grand Jury

Huntsville, TN (2011-11-16) The murder case against an Oneida man accused of going on a shooting spree in late October has been bound over to a grand jury. The panel will consider the case in January 2012.

Following a nearly three hour preliminary hearing on Wednesday, Scott County General Sessions Court Judge James L. (Jamie) Cotton, Jr., sent the case against accused killer Gregory D. Potter to a Scott County Grand Jury. Potter is accused of going on a shooting spree on October 29, 2011, a rampage that resulted in the death of Christopher Wallace Marcum, 29, of Oneida and serious injuries to his lifelong friend, Ben Cooper. He is also accused of shooting into a pickup truck occupied by three other persons, firing on law enforcement officers who attempted to take him into custody, and shooting into an occupied building that endangered the lives of 33 people inside.

Investigator Blake Murphy of the Oneida Police Department testified Wednesday that Potter allegedly commented following his capture, “I just snapped”. Potter is accused of firing the fatal shot that killed Marcum just inside the doorway of a chicken house on Bear Creek Road in Oneida. Marcum was reportedly hosting a Halloween party at the old chicken house, which was next to his residence.

Authorities claim Potter, who had filed several complaints about noise and partying at the chicken house, took the law into his own hands on October 29, 2011. “He’s a mass murderer with a bad aim,” proclaimed Assistant Attorney General Tom Barclay. Potter is accused of firing the fatal shot that killed Marcum at point blank range. According to Barclay, the provisional autopsy report on Marcum indicated he suffered a “contact wound”, meaning the barrel of the weapon was so close to Marcum’s body that he suffered powder burns and “tattooing” from the muzzle flash. Although authorities allege Potter fired his Winchester 30-30 rifle multiple times, he only struck Marcum and Cooper.

During testimony on Wednesday, Cooper claimed he and a co-worker were standing outside the chicken house when they heard what he initially thought was fireworks. Moments later, Cooper testified “(my) world felt paralyzed.” Cooper explained how he found himself on the ground, unknowing what had happened. He recalled stumbling to his feet, but later falling into a nearby ditch line. Fearing he would bleed to death, Cooper testified he was able to use a nearby drainage tile to pull himself up and staggered to the edge of the building to keep him upright. As he neared the doorway where Marcum lay, he recalled hearing people shouting and screaming, “He’s been shot”. Cooper was shot in the neck. On Wednesday, he claimed the bullet entered through the base of his neck and struck a vertebra. The impact, Cooper stated, caused the bullet to fragment. Many of the fragments reportedly exited through the back of his shoulder. In court on Wednesday, Cooper was noticeably favoring his right shoulder and appeared to have limited mobility of his right arm. Cooper testified he had been unable to work since the shooting.

Charles Michael Walker, a 9-year friend of Marcum, testified on Wednesday that he, Marcum and another person, identified as Tim Claiborne, went to the door of the chicken house to investigate the noises coming from outside. When Marcum opened the door, Walker stated Potter was standing in the doorway holding a gun. Potter allegedly fired one round toward Marcum, which struck him in the abdomen. As Marcum fell to the ground, Walker stated he tried to drag Marcum away from his attacker, but Potter fired another shot that narrowly missed him. Fearing for his life, Walker retreated, like all of the other guests, into the chicken house. Moments later, realizing the shooter had gone, Walker and others came to Marcum’s aid.

Cooper and Walker both testified they have never met nor knew Potter.

On January 10, 2012, a Scott County Grand Jury will consider multiple charges against Potter, including first degree murder, attempted first degree murder (7 counts), and felony reckless endangerment (33 counts).