Dad accused of brainwashing son into murdering his mother (McNairy County, Tennessee)

Can't be! As the fathers rights people will assure you, mothers have the monopoly on manipulative and alienating behavior. Uh, obviously not...

Dad is identified as GUY POTTER, JR.

http://www.wbbjtv.com/news/local/Dad-Behind-Bars-for-Arson-Murder-Conspiracy-256084801.html

Dad Behind Bars for Arson-Murder Conspiracy

By Jordan Hall

Story Created: Apr 21, 2014 at 4:46 PM CDT (Story Updated: Apr 21, 2014 at 8:52 PM CDT)

McNAIRY COUNTY, Tenn. - A father was arrested Monday accused of trying to brainwash his son into murdering his mother.

Deputies said Guy Potter, Jr. is behind bars for aggravated arson and attempted murder of his ex-wife. Investigators said Potter tried to convince his pre-teen son to commit the crime.

Bryan and Brandi Petty's home in South Ramer has undergone a total rebuilding process since a fire was set in six different places in January. The homeowners say the real rebuilding process is just getting started.

"If a person is going to put their child up to what he assisted Trey in doing, you don't know what they're going to do. You can't sleep. You're constantly wondering what's going on around you. Nobody should have to live like that," said Brandi Petty, the juvenile's mother.

Deputies arrested Guy Potter Jr. Monday after they said he put together a murder plot to kill his ex-wife - using his son as his weapon.

"We were determine quickly that some of the things that had been done during the arson were probably above the age or capability of someone of the juvenile's age," said Sheriff Guy Buck.

Sheriff Buck said tampering with fire detectors was one example of ways to burn down the home. Brandi Petty escaped the fire that night from her back bedroom window, and found her son standing outside on the other side.

An unknown cell phone was found in the son's room and later discovered to be the communication line with his father.

Now, with Potter behind bars, Petty said she hopes she can rebuild a relationship with her son.

"We have a lot of work to do. I do believe at some point he can get past it and I hope and pray that he can," said Petty.

Her son is undergoing counseling and therapy, and the Pettys will be able to move into their home in the next few weeks.

Potter will be arraigned in court this week, and appear before a judge in May.