Suspect has Monday court date

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  • Julie Marie Morrison is claiming self defense in the shooting.
    Julie Marie Morrison is claiming self defense in the shooting.
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Clay County resident Julie Marie Morrison is scheduled to appear in criminal court at the Clay County Courthouse Monday, Oct 7. The 53-year-old woman was recently released on a $200,000 bond after being charged with murder at an unspecified degree on Friday, Sept.  4.

According to Clay County Sheriff’s investigator Todd Wingate, Gregory George Garcia, 43, was allegedly shot in Morrison’s Tusquittee home. Wingate’s report said Garcia sustained a single gunshot wound to the chest from a .32 caliber semi-automatic handgun, which was found in the woman’s home.

Morrison, who has no history of prior arrests, has claimed self-defense. Garcia, of Murphy, had a previous arrest record on drug charges. According to the police reports, Garcia was staying in Morrison’s home when the shooting occurred; however, the nature of their relationship remains unknown.

At the time of his death, little was known about Garcia, but his family ran an obituary the following week. An Air Force veteran, Garcia was the son of Eileen and the late Richard Drabek and Greg and Maria Garcia. He is also survived by his wife Dona; sons, Jerron and Brandon; sisters, Tina, Deena (Erik), Elicia; brothers, Raymond (Andria), Steven (Sandy) and many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and special friend, Evie.

Services will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers it is requested memorials be made to a foundation of your choice or plant flowers or a tree in Garcia's memory.