HINCKLEY, Minn. (KMSP) -
Against his attorney's advice, Jesse Ericson called FOX 9 News to say he wanted to apologize to the people he hurt when he was arrested and charged with trying to hire a hitman to kidnap and kill his ex-girlfriend.
Though his memory is selective, Ericson does not deny many of the allegations.
"I didn't want to hurt her," said Ericson through tears of regret. "I wrecked that relationship. I didn't want to do that."
After somehow posting his $250,000 bail, Ericson met with FOX 9 reporter Tom Lyden to say he never intended to hurt his former flame -- even though he admits he met with a hitman.
In April, Ericson met up with an undercover officer posing as a hit man at the Grand Casino. The two met three more times in the parking lot of a liquor store, and all the conversations were captured in audio and video recordings.
In those conversations, Ericson allegedly wavered between wanting to have his ex killed or kept hostage as a sex slave.
In May, Pine County Sheriff Robin Cole told FOX 9 News Ericson also wrote down his plans.
"He had detailed plans of what he wanted done to this woman, and it's -- it's perversion," Cole said.
Ericson said he was high on pain medications and beer when he contacted the hit man, but Cole suspects he's addicted to methamphetamines. During the interview, FOX 9 cameras couldn't help but notice the bottles of bleach, empty tanks and surveillance cameras.
"Mainly because we're gone a lot on trips," Ericson explained.
When FOX 9 News showed Ericson's apologetic interview to his ex-girlfriend's sister, she said she doesn't believe a word of it.
"[Those tears are] fake," Susan Bruce told FOX 9. "Totally fake."
Although Ericson claims he once had Bruce's love and respect, she says that's certainly not the case now.
"He's a criminal," she said. "He has a criminal mind. That's how he lives."
He lives now with an ankle bracelet, a long rap sheet and restraining orders from many ex-girlfriends. Why he decided to talk to FOX 9 News against his attorney's recommendation is a mystery, but Ericson said he hoped to send a message to his victim.
"I just want her to know, I'm desperate," he said.
Ericson will appear in court again later this month to face three counts of conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
