I love you. I'm so sorry. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know. I didn't know what to do. >> This is 39year-old Melissa Goolson. 24 hours ago, she brutally took the life of her lover, David Goulson. Now, as she confesses her crimes, Melissa will realize that she can't just shoot her own husband. It's hard to make that fast. >> But at the point you got the gun out, I mean, your intent was for him to die. How long you will go to jail? >> It was Halloween 2021 in Orange Park, Florida, when a woman named Stacy heard unexpected knocking on her door. Behind it, she found her sister Melissa looking frazzled. When Melissa cried that her life was over and she would never see her kids again, Stacy's first thought was that Melissa and her husband David Goulson were getting a divorce. 36-year-old David, who was once a police officer and later joined the church as a care pastor, was a wonderful man. Charming, kind, gentle, and a kid at heart. He was a catch anyone would be lucky to have. Unfortunately, the person who had David was Melissa, who through tears made an earthshattering confession. David was dead and she had killed him. Stacy quickly called the police and rushed Melissa to a nearby station for interrogation. The following footage was provided to us by the Klay County Sheriff's Office via foyer request. >> All right. Now, we briefly met out there for a split second, but I'm Dan. This is Brad. >> My sister's still here. >> Yes. Yeah. She's over there talking to another Dan. >> I'll get to say goodbye. >> Absolutely. I'll make sure that happens for you. Okay. So, she's still here and she very much cares for you. >> So, we're going to talk about everything. I want to hear anything you have to say. Um, get your side of things, you know, tell me about you. Um, before we even start talking, I am going to read you this regular because based on some of the questions, things we're going to talk about, um, I just need you to make sure you're aware of your rights, okay? because you are in the police station. You're going to be asking some things. Okay? So, let me read these. If you have any questions, please ask me. Okay? You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have them present with you while you're being questioned. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you for any question if you wish. You can decide at any time to exercise these rights and not answer any questions or make any statements. Do you understand your rights? Do you have any questions on them? >> Um, I don't I don't I don't No, I don't have questions on them. I understand you've talked to a lot of deputies at this point. You know, a lot's been going on. He and I have not been present when you talk to the deputies. That's why we want to hear your stories straight from you rather than getting it from somebody else that that you've already talked to. It makes more sense if we hear it straight from you. >> I um I mean obviously I'm going to tell but um so I guess >> that's that's your call. my sisters. I just want you guys. >> I'd love to talk to you and get your side of things, but it's entirely up to you. >> What's the difference between talking to me with a lawyer present versus talking to me without a lawyer present? >> Well, if you if you request a lawyer, we're we're done here. We're we're exiting here and that it is what it is. >> I don't know what that means. >> Well, we can't offer you legal advice. Correct. So, we all we're here to do is to find out what took place. Like I said, we've talked to a lot of people up to this point. We just want to hear from you. If you if you don't feel comfortable talking to us, then that's fine, too. That that is your right. >> Whatever Whatever happens, I deserve. So, let's talk. >> Okay. You don't seem like a bad person. We don't know your name back here. And dude, you have like no criminal history. So like you come from good family. >> They're all cops. >> Are they really? >> Really? >> JSO. >> JSO. >> Retired JSON. >> Were you and David married? Did you guys have kids together? >> No. Just his from his former marriage. >> Okay. How old are they? He's >> six and eight. It's >> hard being a steparent, isn't it? >> Yeah. just just walk us through. Can >> I >> We will let you at some point. >> At some point. >> Mhm. >> But I can't call him first to get his advice on whether I should >> You can request to speak to an attorney. See, and here's the reason behind it is a family member or some or friend or something like that may distort what you're about to tell us, you know, and we don't we that's why I said rather than us talk to the deputies that you talk to, we'd rather get the story straight from you. I don't want anybody to distort whatever fix you're fixing to tell us, you know. So, you know, I understand you want your dad. I understand you want to see your sister. How long will I go to jail? >> I have no That's not on me and I I have no idea. >> Well, it's your job to find out what happened and then report it to >> the state attorney. It's our reports that they get as far as our interactions and you know how you being obviously you're being very remorseful. Just cuz things happen doesn't mean you're a bad person. What are you learning? >> We just want you to walk us through the story of what took place. I mean, we don't we don't know the the when, the why, the things like that. >> Y'all found them. >> We haven't gone to the house. There is other officers at the house. >> I'm taking them away. >> No, not yet. there. >> We're going to get them all processed, okay? And we'll take care of them. Law enforcement sees a lot of unusual scenes, but the scene that awaited them at Melissa and David's house painted a clear picture that something very, very unusual was happening well before David was killed. In the kitchen, every single plate, bowl, and cooking utensil was dirty and mounded up in the sink. Weeks worth of dirty laundry coated the floors. So much so that there were hardly any clean clothes hanging in the closets. Additionally, it was evident that someone had been sleeping on the couch for weeks, if not months. And the reason why is not at all what you're expecting. >> This happened yesterday, I'm assuming. >> Yes, >> in the morning or lunch time. First time we had just gotten back from public came picked us up public subs and um we didn't even they're still in the fridge. We didn't need any of them. >> From my understanding I guess an argument started. >> An argument has started that morning. I was woken up to an argument. I told one of the guy I was talking to earlier that um I have OCD and um I like struggle with like washing my hands and um like there's a mountain of dishes in the kitchen right now. I struggle with that and laundry and stuff and um >> so the argument was kind of like based on chores the the house and things like that. He did the cooking. I did the cleaning. I um did dishes because I insisted on doing the dishes even though I struggle with it. I like them to like right or a certain way or like because I struggle with that stuff. >> Um >> we all have a little bit of it to an extent. Maybe not the extent that you're saying, but we all have a little of it. You know, some some you woke me up. I've been sleeping on the couch and he's been sleeping in the bed and I've been sleeping on the couch for a while. >> How long is a while? >> A couple months. >> Couple months. How long you guys been together to met him in 2015? August of 2015. We got married in um September 2018. Yeah. Um, I know we've been we've been fighting lately. I've been sleeping on the couch. >> Any any fighting over anything particular or just typical married couples? >> I can't even tell you at this point anymore. I don't even >> Is he? >> Mainly my OCD. We fight about that cuz I struggle with that a lot. Is he violent? No. >> Are you violent? >> No. Yes, I guess. >> What? Excluding excluding from what happened yesterday are you person >> normally no >> um fighting the kids will like be over he's got like 40% custody and the kids will be over on their days and it's like everything gets like slept in to the side when the kids are there and then like the second the kids are gone on like it it just starts every time and um he's been um I don't fault not him. So I don't mean to me so bad. He's not but >> and understand it's not a matter of who sounds bad or who's at fault. We're just trying to get to the actual story of what took place. He um let me have like a short um patience for what I struggle with lately. And um um Saturday he woke me up um angry um probably cuz I wasn't in bed with him again. It's been hurting him that I don't sleep in bed with him. And um he just woke me up angry and started like house and like like kind of like trying to push my buttons with the OCD and um we um he threatened to call he threatened he was having some bites lately where he like threatens to call the police and he threatens to call my dad and um stuff like that. >> Here, Melissa is really painting a picture that her marriage was struggling because David was frustrated with her not doing the dishes or the laundry. In reality, it wasn't at all about her not doing chores. It was about her refusal to get help for her OCD. David never threatened to call the police or her father to hurt her. He did it because he knew that she needed help. OCD, which stands for obsessivecompulsive disorder, is marked by, you guessed it, obsession and compulsion. People suffering from OCD become obsessed with a fear, which they can only assuage by completing certain rituals that they are compelled to do. For example, someone may be illogically terrified that they're going to give a loved one a fatal disease. That fear becomes their obsession. They then latch on to a compulsion like washing their hands 30 times or touching a doornob seven times or taking a shower until it feels right. Once they complete this ritual, the fear that they're going to give a loved one a fatal disease is satiated for a bit at least. Does it make sense? Absolutely not. And people with OCD know that, which is part of what makes it so frustrating. Melissa, however, seems to have been frustrated with the wrong thing. Her many rituals took her endless hours into the night to complete, which usually resulted in her falling asleep on the couch. She didn't sleep on the couch because she and David were fighting. She did it because of her OCD. >> Well, has it got to a point where if he's making a threat to call the police, that you've done something that the police would be involved or is it just yelling? >> It's yelling. The last I don't know if it actually if a person actually came out to our house. He said somebody did about a week or >> I think you were asleep, >> huh? >> I think you were asleep. He had his mouth. Yeah, cuz he wouldn't leave me alone and I started screaming for him to stop and just like he threatened to call somebody and and while he was outside to like make a phone call, I finally like was able to just like calm down cuz he wasn't in there me and um and I did go to sleep and and nobody really did come out that day. >> Yes, ma'am. the deputy came out there and just put that you were asleep in bed and there's no allegation of crime or anything like that. >> Like dude, he's been doing that lately and um >> he's been escalating. >> Yeah. And um Saturday that was going on and um I locked him out of the house >> after Publix, before Publix. before Publix in the morning. He um he went out to something to trap or something locked the door and locked the back door. And apparently he had grabbed I didn't even know we had a key that unlocked the back door, but we did cuz I know Mike had a key that didn't unlock the back door for some reason. but he ended up coming in the back and um I don't remember how it ended but he called a truce like I got him to just stop and we called a truce and I I don't know if I went back to like sleep cuz after we fight like I'm just exhausted and I just want to go to sleep and wake up like not like on edge. And um um >> you take any medication or anything? >> I was taking medication. Um I stopped it several months back. >> What was that for? >> OCD. >> OCD. If you're going to go off your OCD medication for specifically contamination OCD, which includes the fear of germs, doing it in the middle of a global pandemic isn't exactly the time to do it. Withdrawing from any psychiatric medication can result in a return of symptoms. In Melissa, they clearly returned with a vengeance. He um Oh, we got we he finished watching our show. We were watching a Netflix show together and it was like we really had a like a truce like we weren't fighting anymore and he like went and put on his little camo robe and his horsey hat and he sat on the couch and I sat on the couch and we flashed show we've been watching and then um and then shortly after that he was hungry and wanted to get something and I went with him and we both rode up to Publix together and he parked and he went inside to get the subs. I asked him to leave his phone in the car and wanted to call my dad and ask my dad something that he'd been saying he'd been saying stuff. He's been telling me my dad's saying stuff and then I talked with my dad and my dad said he didn't say that stuff. And then when he got back in the car, he wanted to know why cuz he said, "I'll leave my phone with you if you tell me what it was for." He He just He didn't want me to call his mom. He didn't want me to call his ex. I told him it wasn't that we had drawn the truce and I wasn't for that. >> What stuff was he supposedly telling? Was it stuff that he he said he had told your dad? I told my dad he when the cop had come out that one time he um he had told me that he had called my dad and that my dad had told him to bake her act me and um my dad I did call my dad since then in front of him and like ask my dad questions until you know that came out. But that was kind of like the last thing it seemed like. But I was mad at my dad cuz my dad basically had said that. And um David was saying that that was, you know, my dad's go-to was to have me bakered. And when the cop came out, they said that that's not something we really push for. I don't even know what the cop really said, but he was saying that that's, you know, not something that you guys push for out here. I just want to get like help to people, let people know options and stuff like that. And um that's what he said. And then when I talked to my dad while we're uh while he was in Publix on Saturday, my dad was saying that the cop is the one who said suggested Baker acting me and David mentioned it to my dad and my dad said like as a last resort if that's what it comes down to. And so it was like complete opposite what David had been telling me my dad's been saying. And when he got in the car, I was just really angry because I felt like he's been trying to turn me against my family for a while. I don't really I came from a good family and I was so close with my family when I first met him that I don't really even like interact with a lot of my family members anymore. And I'm like I'm starting to was like starting to question who he even was as a person and um you know might you trust your dad and I turned my back on my dad my dad saying that that's not what he said and or how he said it even and so he got in the car from public I told him he was a liar. I told him that I had just told my dad he called him a liar and he's he took huge offense to that and got very upset that I called him a liar and I think I even said something and he's um >> says something what >> he's um even seminary. >> Um and he just started interning at our church this past month. Um I told him his calling like the the things that he's been saying and doing lately that he's just told him that like it was like a sham his call like saying he wants to be like a pastor or whatever. It's just it's a sham. And he got really upset about that all. So, and um we started fighting on the way home. And then when we got home, it was like World War II again. And he went in and like went to the kitchen and we had the mountain of dishes in there that of course bother me if anybody messes with them except me. And um so he went in there and started messing with all the things that he knows would bother me. And um what time did you guys get home? >> I don't know. It was around me which I don't know what time exactly it was. But um when I pulled out a gun from the drawer and then shot him. When I get frustrated over a sink full of dirty dishes, I order takeout. Instead, Melissa takes people out. According to David's friend and mentor, for months, Melissa refused to do the dishes and laundry, but she also wouldn't allow David to touch them out of fear that they would contaminate him. The lack of clean clothes and towels had gotten so severe that David had to buy new towels just so his children could shower. It isn't unusual for people to resist help when their compulsions and rituals serve as their safe place, but something tells me jail is going to be a much much less safe place for Melissa. >> Did he know that you had that? >> Yes, we both we have a big safe in the office. He has hunting rifles. He hunts deer and hog. And um he's got a couple and I had two. >> And you're there's a pistol, correct? a little uh Ruger. >> Um I don't know. It's a 380. >> 380. One of those like pocket size little small ones. >> And you you said you kept it in your drawer. >> It was in the drawer. Yeah. >> In the bedroom. >> In a drawer in the living room. There's a drawer right there between there's like a kitchen and the living room. And there's the little um table with a drawer that is in. >> Okay. You keep it in there. Is >> that where homeless stays? >> No. I had um pulled it out that morning from our safe. >> Okay. >> Leave me alone. >> When things started escalating, got out of the safe just in case. I had it on my person that morning and um when we finally called the truce and I felt safe to put it away, he I just put it in that drawer right there and so it was right there. >> Was it already chambered? >> Yeah, I think so. Was it chambered in the safe or did you pull it out and chamber it and then put it like in your pocket? >> I just pulled it out of the safe. >> You see how in your person you have like a holster or anything or in my pocket? >> Pocket. >> Did he know that you had that that morning? >> So once the truce got called, you put the gun in back in that drawer. >> That little drawer right there. >> Okay. Is there like a table there with a lamp on it or anything? It's like a little black table. It's a little narrow square table. >> Okay. >> Not not very large. >> Was he where was he when um when you went to the drawer? >> I was standing I was I was beside the drawer. I was standing in the opening the kitchen. He was over at the sink messing with the dishes. try to get a rob out of you. >> Did you shoot him from that location? >> I shot him from multiple locations. >> But I mean, first shot, was you standing by the door when you shot him or did you walk up to him? >> Um, he charged at me and I started pulling the trigger. We ended up running into the garage. He ran. Once I started shooting, he ran in the garage and then chased him from the garage. Um, >> do you know if he shot him in the living room before the garage? >> You don't know. Orm. >> You said he charged at you. Was he Cuz Did he see you with the gun? >> I think he charged at me. >> Yeah, he saw me pull it out. >> When you ran into the garage, what happened in the garage? um use string till the far away to get away and I was just shooting and then he um I didn't even know I shot him. He um I don't think he even knew he had been shot. He um started trying to wrestle the gun away from me through um the longer my back was I don't there he was trying to wrestle the gun away and um there wasn't anything left in there. >> So the guy was empty at that point. >> I felt it I felt it was empty or whatnot. Um and then he um the laundry and and the grocery store. >> What do you think you shot him? >> I know where I saw him. I looked at it. play with that two times. >> I don't >> what you've seen two times. >> What happened with the gun? >> Put it down. There it is in the garage. There's a green tote in there. I got up and sat on it. stunned touch it after that. Did >> you call anybody text or anything? >> No. >> Did you think about calling rescue team? >> But you didn't because of what? Are you done? At the point you thought about calling rescue, he was dead. I didn't know it was you. I didn't know. I didn't know what to do. I felt so calm. I don't know. I don't know. I um I um I didn't think you would make it. >> I didn't think you would make >> naked. He was already so pale. So, >> how long was he until like when when he went to the floor? How long until he let still? >> I laid him out. He just let it kind of be uncomfortable. He um >> did he fall like on his stomach on his side? >> He slumped on the lawn in the in the garage door. Did you pull him out or anything? You just didn't know. I didn't know actually. I was trying to see where he I had him. I like them out and I I tried and I saw the one there and I saw the one there and um I didn't know I didn't know I didn't know it's too is hard to make that fast. >> Once more, Melissa tries to twist the narrative to make herself look better, but detectives aren't biting. There is absolutely no evidence that David rushed her or went for her gun. In fact, as she'll soon admit, David was running away from her at the time that he was shot in the back, not once, but multiple times. He didn't pose a danger to her whatsoever. He was simply trying to escape with his life. >> We wouldn't expect you to know, per se, what to do. I mean, you're going to be in shock as well. >> But there's a there's a point between that's 12:00 Saturday to what happened to today. There was a period in between. What did you do? Where did you go? >> I lay down on the couch and I slept. I watched some TV. I cuddled with my dog >> and I slept. >> Did you ever go back out in the garage and check on him? He was he was before I left the garage >> the first time. >> He said moving pretty quickly once he smoked. Did you go anywhere last night with a swing? No, your sister's a swine. Correct. Did you go anywhere else but for house? >> I um I told my dad I would bring back um this drill mixer cement mixer that he had wanted or needed back to do this bathroom. You took that to your dad's house first. How long were we there for? >> He wasn't there. I just left it by the front door. And I went next door. My grandmother lives next door. I think it was like church time like 11:30 or something. I went next door to see my grandmother. I just wanted to I haven't seen her in a while. I didn't see her. I loved her. >> Did you talk to her? Was she there? >> She was. She tried to get me to come inside and talk to her. You can tell like I was something wrong cuz I was crying. Um I told her I couldn't stay. I just wanted to see her and her and tell her I love her. Have you and your husband ever been physically violent with each other or has it all been verbal? >> Has it been verbal? It's been um feeling as though it's been escalating though, >> right? But it's at this point it maintained verbal um words that shouldn't be said, passed back and forth, things like that. I've thrown things towards him to get him to try to leave me alone before it just hit the wall. >> And minus the OCD, have you ever been diagnosed with a mental illness or anything? >> OCD. >> When you guys came home after Publix, was he threatening you or anything or making threats to you? mostly just or mostly just picking at you with the dishes and things like that. >> Freaking pushing the button trying to get her eyes. >> So to help us understand, we're trying cuz we're trying to understand where does it go from a verbal argument to getting a gun out thinking the only resolution to this is death. >> I don't know. Did you not feel like you had a way out? You couldn't call somebody and get out of there. Just got built up. Just wanted to stop. I just wanted to be able to breathe and think. He just pushes my buttons and leg. I just want him to stop. I just want to think. I just want to have calm. And that happens if there's time. I just want to he wants me to like go do things and work on the house or do the dishes or whatever it is I've been supposed to be doing. And I just want to sleep afterwards. I just I can't cuz I'm so on edge afterwards that I um I just go lay down and then the next day it starts all over again because all I did was sleep the day before. And >> so you don't work? >> I no. >> It may be confusing to consider that Melissa was physically exhausted despite not having a job and not doing any housework. However, that probably has to do a lot with the fact that, according to David's mentor, she would have to take a 4-hour shower every single day in addition to several other time-consuming compulsions. She stopped attending church because she had to wash her hands until it felt right, resulting in David missing several services to stay and help support her. David was so desperate to get her help for these compulsions that he had reached out to his church, her parents, his parents, and the police. Other than Saturday, how many times do you think you've put a gun on yourself because of arguing you wanted to stop? Never resulted to force what happened Saturday, but how many times you think you done? >> That was the first time I've ever done that. >> Has he ever done that? >> I wouldn't know, but I don't think so. >> Has he ever pulled out you? >> No. >> When you pull the when you get the gun out of the drawer and you said he charges you, does do you say anything? Are you yelling at him? Is that what catches his attention? >> No, he had my attention cuz he was looking for the rise. >> So he's looking to get a rise out of you. >> He wasn't even trying to do the dishes. He just started like picking up stuff and moving him around. He just thought it was funny. >> Just But were you yelling at him because of it? >> I was asking him to stop. Yeah, I was yelling for him to stop. So, so at some point he's got to notice that you're getting the gun out, right? And he starts how how what's the distance you think between the kitchen and where you said you got the gun from? >> Um, never mind. We haven't been to the house yet. >> Yeah. >> Open the door. Maybe that wall where you at wall where he was >> was by the sink. So not not too far then. >> So when you started trigger was it just a repetitious thing or did you just a couple times and stop or >> um I don't know. >> You don't know. And did did he run to the the garage and then you chase behind him? Yeah. >> Did he when he saw you with the gun, did he say anything to you? >> I don't think so. >> He just ran at you. >> I think he was running at me or wanted to get away. He was running at me and then stopped and ran to the garden. So before he made it to you, he ran into the garage >> because I pulled the sleeve off already. There's a sleeve in >> like a holster >> like a Yeah, a little cloth holster. >> So it was in that it was in that in the drawer. Did he see you pull the whole thing out? Did he see it when when you took the actual gun out of the holster? >> I don't know. >> The intent is is what would cause him to think that you would actually pull the trigger? Because if I'm married, if my wife were to get in an argument, let's say she pulled a gun out, in my mind, I would think she's not actually really going to do that. So why would he think that you would to the point that he's got to run? >> Did you tell him you're fixing? >> I didn't say anything. >> Does he just know you to that point that he believes that you actually go through with it? That's pretty bold thing. If I'm running to you to possibly get the gun away from you, you take the gun out of the sleeve and then I take a hard left or right, whatever it is, to get to the garage. >> It clicked. >> The gun clicked. >> It clicked. Yeah. >> Off. You're going to have a safety. >> It wasn't right. >> Wasn't right. So it clicked and you had to rack it to one in >> I pulled it a couple times cuz it click and ran. >> Where where was he staying when he was first struck? >> That's the sigh of someone who is realizing that they're about to make themselves look even more guilty. And that's after she's already confessed to killing her husband. So that's really saying something. >> Was he still about the sink as I ran? >> So as you were following him to the garage and you wrecked it. >> Yeah. >> Did you fire any shots inside the house or were they just in the garage? Mr. Mr. >> and I understand we haven't seen your gun. Does your gun have a hammer? >> I don't know. I don't know. >> You You know what I'm talking about. The slide that has a hammer. Semi-automatic gun that also has a hammer on it as well. >> You think it does have a hammer? Okay. So, you pull the trigger a couple of times. times he hears the click, he makes the hard turn to go to the garage. You're chasing behind him and you >> I racked it as I ran. >> You racked it as you ran. You get into the garage. Um he's >> and I was just firing >> and he's obviously still running from you, right? Any idea what he's running to? Cuz the garage is closed, I'm assuming. I don't get away. >> He's trying to get away. >> He's knocking stuff over. Should >> kind of look like that. somewhere. >> I guess that's what I was told. >> Okay. So, he's knocking things over trying to get away. Is the garage the entrance to the garage closer where you guys were at than say the door, the front door, the residence. >> He couldn't get out. There's no way for him to get out. The garage was down. So, >> he couldn't get out. He's basically trapped. Here's the story. >> And when you get in the garage and you're shooting at him >> before the wrestling over the guns takes place, how what's the distance at that point? Do you think you actually shot him? Same distance? >> I don't know. >> I mean, are you let me explain it. Are you closing the gap on him, per se, as you're shooting? Like if he's ran to the corner or he's ran to the door where the lawn is, are you closing the gap as you're shooting getting closer in questions? I don't know. He um he ran out there. >> He ran out there. >> Was he by the garage door when he when he was struck? >> I I don't know when I struck him. I didn't think I had struck him because he was >> You're still wrestling. >> He's still running and wrestling. He He ran and I was just shooting. And >> do you remember the gun going off while you wrestling? He did. He um really had me going through the lawn mower and he was trying to get the gun. I shot him from up close. >> Not close. He was just trying to empty so that he would be able to get it for me on me. He used the wrestling for was already it was empty. >> When we you two were wrestling with the gun, had he already been struck? You said it was empty. He had to have been cuz he had the bullet holes. So yeah, I'd stopped coming. >> Did he yell out like he shot me or anything like that? >> He never even reacted like he been shot if he was I didn't think I actually hit him. >> Was he yelling anything at you? >> Words? know, I don't I don't know. Um, >> just trying to picture at this point, you're probably like in a rage. >> Right. And in a rage to a point, maybe some things are blurry, but as we talk, they come back a little bit. But at the point you got the gun out, I mean, your intent was for him to die. >> What? You don't think he stopped when he ran to the garage? >> Forget it. He just had enough. >> The person who had actually had enough was David. Just a day before he was murdered, David texted a close friend and mentor saying, "This can't keep going on." He disclosed that his two children, who were just eight and six, were so scared of Melissa's outbursts, anger, and behavior that they didn't want to come over for their mandated weekly time with him. David made it clear that he was going to try to get Melissa to get her treatment or get back on her meds. Unfortunately, that didn't go over well, and now his children are without a loving father. When asked to use three words to describe what their dad meant to them for his obituary, his kids opted for three syllables instead, and both said everything. >> Do you have any questions for us? >> What happened next? >> Well, obviously at some point, um, you know, we're going to discuss with the state attorney the things that you just proposed to us and the decision will be made. you will be placed under arrest and charge. I don't know what the charge will be at this point and you know there's whole booking process and things like that. We told you we'd allow you to talk to you so we'll do that and be um placed in here in charge today >> and taken to jail. >> Yes. We'll we'll make sure you're fully aware of, you know, what charges they are and we'll answer any questions you may have and kind of let you know what's going to happen. We can work on um talking to your family and things like that. What's your I already heard that. Yep. We'll see if we can take care of that. You want to >> paper towel? Listen, the deputies that are at your house, the ones that are over there, um, they got, of course, you know, legal reasons, they got to write a warrant. They got to go in there to before they can actually get to your husband and the scene and all that kind of thing. Has anything been changed since you actually shot him? Like, did you clean anything up? Did you pick up any shell casings? Did you So, the gun laid right where you dropped it in the garage, right? It's on that green tote. >> On a green tote. Okay. And as far as the other guns, there are other guns in the house, but they're in a safe. All of them. Okay. Nobody else lives with you guys. It's just you two. Correct. >> There's two animals. >> Are they there at the house? >> Uh my my dogs at my sister's house, but there's a rabbit and there's a chameleon. >> You want your sister to take those as well? I if she wants to I don't want to burden her with care. >> I mean, we don't want them to leave them there to die. >> But we we will definitely see if she'd be willing to do that. >> She wants to. >> Okay. But I told you I'd let you talk to your dad. >> You don't want to talk to me? >> It's up to you. I don't need you. >> I made that promise to you, so I'm willing to let you do it. >> You want to talk to her on the phone? She's already gone. >> What's her number? >> I'll see if I can find out. As far as your uh dad goes, I would assume that's just an assumption, but I would assume so. Certain probably knows. I saw her in the car when we pulled up here. She was having a difficult conversation with somebody. I'm assuming they're her husband or my dad. >> Okay. So, she was already having difficult conversation. >> I don't see she told either her husband why she had to leave the house in a rush. She lives in Jacksonville >> offend. >> Okay. >> So, what what made you guys like what made you guys decide to drive all the way through? Did she say you have to turn yourself in or did you say I want to turn myself? I whenever I see hurricane just >> and um I wasn't planning on telling her I was still I was not planning on writing this song but I just had to tell somebody >> wrote down like I was in there and the kids were like so happy and their home was so warm and the kids like an Ellie was running around with my dog and I just realized I'm not going to get to experience that anymore and I just took that away that life away from our family and um I was used to always be close. We haven't been lately >> because of the difference of opinions on different family stuff. So she said, "Come on, we need to go to the sheriff's office." >> Yeah. When I told her we needed asked if we can go talk inside of my car and I um she said we needed to go. >> Part of your statement to her was I'm a murderer. You know, I mean is that that's pretty >> murdered my husband. I understand that and I mean at this point that you did. I'm still having difficulty understanding the decision to commit murder your husband, you know, and and understand I don't I don't have the OCD that you have. You know, I said we all have some type of it, but not to the extent that you have. So, you know, it's just a little difficult trying to understand where the decision or the switch was flipped to say, okay, this is it. And it was and as you said, it was to get him to stop you. >> I don't know. And I don't want you to make anything tell me. I I'm just speaking out loud. But the process is at this point, you know, if you do want to talk to somebody, you know, in your family or something like that, just knock on this door. I'd be more than happy. >> Okay. >> They tried to call Melissa's dad, but he doesn't answer. After about 10 minutes, however, her dad calls back. The detective brings the phone over for Melissa to speak with him. And the conversation is about as heartbreaking as you can imagine. >> So, what do you want me to do? I don't know. >> I'm at the station right now. I don't know what happens next. >> Well, I'm pretty sure you know what's going to happen. >> Well, yeah. >> So, uh, it took place at y'all's house. >> Yeah. >> All right. No more questions. I already answered all their questions. >> I don't know if that's good or bad. >> I don't either, but I did it. So, >> what's the difference? I turned myself in and not trying to hide anything. So, what's the difference? Not going to go and I just >> Yeah. What? >> I don't know. I just >> What did I call you? >> Yeah. >> So, >> it's fine. I just got to pray for you. >> Thank you. Will you come see me? >> At some point. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. >> You have to call. You have to call me when it's whenever I'm available to do it. >> I don't even have your hands full. So, but um Well, >> that's all right. I get away for a few hours at a time. >> I love you. >> Love you. I'm so sorry. I think he needs his phone back. >> Sir, >> yes. >> This is the detective again. I just wanted to touch base with you. She said there was a couple animals at her house. I don't know if anybody was able to take care of those or not. >> Um, what animal? >> Well, we also have a rabbit and we have a chameleon. Well, I don't have access to the house. >> Yeah, it's I mean, right now it's it's on lockdown, but it probably be released at some point. >> Probably be down for a day or so. >> Yeah. >> Has my keys. I gave them to her. You can have one. >> Dad, >> well, whenever they I guess have to call me whenever they're done lockown. Well, I don't know what y'all want to do, but the rabbit's name is FA. And the chameleon's name is Lizzy. If you want to take her to take them to the Humane Society, or if somebody wants them or if y'all want to keep them, whatever you I don't care. Just please take care of Ellie. Keep Ellie and take care of her. >> Yeah. >> The other two, I don't care. Whatever you want to do with them. Only other things over there is the rabbit. >> The rabbit and the chameleon. >> I can Yeah, I can I can call you when when we're done and we're able to release the home. I can give you a call. Like I said, it probably be sometime tomorrow, something like that. >> Yeah, sir. >> Do you have any questions for me? After another hour and a half, the detectives come back with the final word. >> So, paperwork's all done. So, basically, you're being you're being charged with secondary word. Okay? You already knew this was coming. Um, so basically, you're going to see the judge in the morning. Judge will set a bond. >> Sometimes they can do a no bond or they'll just set a mid to high bond to see if you can bond out. Okay? Just take this. You got to take all this at one step. You got some hoops to jump through and I think it's deep inside you're a good person. >> I don't think you're evil. So, I think just you being straight up with everything that happened in good faith is is a good thing. Again, it shows you're not a monster. You didn't just, you know, do that on purpose just because it was funny or something. You know, I know you're going through a lot and so one step at a time from here on in. Okay. >> Hold your >> probably by now. Um, I know that we had a special victim unit detective go sit down with um his kid's mom and we're going to let them, you know, explain everything. >> The the the the special victim's unit is explain everything to to the kids' mom. >> Yes, he met with them in person >> and she'll be able to tell the kids whatever she's >> that's balls in her court there to do that part. And then what and then so who does she contact his mom? Will one of you guys reach out to his mom? >> We can we're going to reach out and make sure everyone has our numbers too. So if they have questions and everything like that, they're going to get in touch with us. >> Okay. Can I get you anything? >> I'll give you a few more moments here and as soon as I get here, I'll I'll walk out with you. Okay. Ultimately, Melissa Goolson pleaded guilty to seconddegree murder. Due to her plea deal, instead of being sentenced to life, she was given a 40-year prison sentence in a Florida state prison.