Murphy man shot to death in Clay County

    Hayesville – A Murphy man was shot and killed in Clay County on Sept. 3.
    According to Clay County sheriff’s Investigator Todd Wingate, Gregory George Garcia, 43, sustained a single gunshot wound to the chest from a .32 caliber semi-automatic handgun.
    Garcia was staying at the Tusquittee home of Julie Marie Morrison, 53, who he was having a romantic relationship with, according to friends. The shooting happened at her home, where the gun was recovered.
    Morrison, who has no criminal background, has claimed self-defense. Garcia does have a previous arrest record, for drug charges, but friends say he has been clean.
    Morrison, who has a court date today, is being held at the Clay County Detention Center without bond. She has been charged with murder, unspecified to the degree.
    When asked if the deceased was related to 17-year-old Jordan Garcia, who was murdered in Clay County earlier this summer, Wingate said, “To our knowledge, Gregory Garcia and Jordan Garcia are not related.”
    Wingate said autopsy results are still pending, and the investigation is ongoing.
    No other details are being released at this time.
    “First and foremost, the integrity of the investigation must be protected,” Wingate said.