DEBARY, Fla.,None — The man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend at a DeBary Burger King on Monday told WFTV that he tried to do the right thing.
Jesus Morales spoke with WFTV from jail on Tuesday. The conversation gave WFTV a look at what is driving a growing number of domestic violence murders in Central Florida.
"I was just trying to help the woman I loved," Morales said.
Morales claimed that he tried to help his ex-girlfriend, Heidi Shelmire, with her drug abuse, but Shelmire's injunctions accused him of being controlling and physically abusive.
When WFTV spoke to Morales on the phone from the jail, he conveyed almost a sense of relief during the interview, but he also vented his frustration about things that happened before Monday's shooting.
"I don't know. I don't know. I barely remember waking up," Morales said about the events on Monday.
Morales said he could only remember pieces from what happened.
On Tuesday, he had his first appearance in court on charges of killing 38-year-old Shelmire.
"I remember something and like, 'Wow' and it's like a flashback like, 'Holy s***, did I do that?' And it's like another person doing that," Morales said.
Morales insisted that's all he remembered but told WFTV how he slept Monday night.
"The first night's sleep I've actually had in a month, two months," said Morales.
He also gave WFTV his perspective on the months leading up to the shooting after Shelmire left him.
"All she wanted to do was go about her life and party and f*** me over basically," said Morales.
Deputies said Morales violated an injunction four months ago when, they said, he stalked Shelmire at the Burger King where she worked. Morales claimed he tried to help her and accused her of doing drugs and lying to deputies to get him in trouble.
"I was just beside myself thinking, 'What did I do to deserve this?' I was just trying to help the woman that I loved so much," Morales said.
WFTV asked Morales why he didn't just walk away.
"I was done. She just wanted to lie and kept on pushing it and pushing it and pushing it," said Morales.
Morales said maybe he was pushed too far, but he has remorse for what he did.
"Of course I do. I wouldn't be human if I didn't," Morales said.
Shelmire leaves behind an elementary school-age daughter.
The girl is with relatives, who set up a trust fund at Wells Fargo to accept donations.
Morales is in the Volusia County jail on suicide watch, officials said.
WFTV
