HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Channel 2 Investigates has learned through police sources that the man accused of killing eight people over the weekend spent nearly 14 hours in the house.
Much of that time was spent terrorizing the adults and children who later died, and many of the victims whom were bound by handcuffs, one source said.
During much of the unimaginable ordeal, Valerie Jackson, mother to the children, was writing secret messages via text and Facebook begging for family members to get help, another police source told KPRC's Joel Eisenbaum.
It is not yet clear why three visits to the northwest Harris County home, where the tragedy unfolded over the course of eight hours did not lead to a faster discovery of the situation.
Channel 2 Investigates learned Monday that Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies visited the house around the following times: 12:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
During the first two visits, there were no outward appearances of trouble, according to one source.
"They just didn't have enough to go inside. They made a decision," the source said.
Another police source said that patrol deputies during one of the visits heard a deadbolt lock turn on the front door, but nobody would respond from inside.
Channel 2 Investigates pieced together the following timeline from the two police sources with knowledge of the scene and the follow-up investigation:
- Saturday, 10:15 a.m. -- Valerie Jackson sends 'Help!' text to mother in Minnesota.
- Saturday, 12:30 p.m. -- HCSO visit No. 1.
- Saturday, 5 p.m. -- HCSO visit No. 2.
- Saturday, 8:30 p.m. -- HCSO visit No. 3. Deputies make entry, gunfire.
- Sunday, 12:15 a.m. -- Suspect surrenders.
Total = 14 hours
A neighbor's surveillance cameras caught deputies with guns drawn entering the home.
A police source said Conley bought the gun online within the last two weeks.
Conley appeared in court Monday morning for the first time. He said nothing and showed no emotion.
Despite the nature of the crimes, prosecutors said they are still unsure about the possibility of the death penalty.