The vast majority of people can watch a horror film and return to reality when the credits roll. For Mark Branch, the difference between fact and fiction was nonexistent. His obsession with gore and Jason Voorhees led him to commit a heinous crime.
Sources (thank you to our friend of the pod!):
Nashua Telegraph, October 28, 1988, page 9.
Springfield Union, October 30, 1988, page 3.
Springfield Union, October 27, 1988, page 1.
Springfield Union, November 6, 1988.
Nashua Telegraph, November 11, 1988.
Huntingdon Daily News, November 30, 1988.
Nashua Telegraph, November 30, 1988.
Huntingdon Daily News, December 1, 1988.
Nashua Telegraph, December 12, 1988.
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/12/01/Court-documents-sought-in-slasher-killing/8455596955600/
https://www.ranker.com/list/friday-the-13th-copycat/jacob-shelton