During my interview with Elmer Wayne Henley, Jr., in 2010, he revealed that the Harris County District Attorney granted him immunity in exchange for a two-day hypnosis session conducted by one of the DA’s own investigators back in 1986. Henley’s statement, under the guise of “hypnosis,” was so thorough that not one official from law enforcement has visited him since.
Henley’s hypnosis session was confirmed by a source in the DA’s office, but the videotape and transcript could not be located.
The decision to grant Henley immunity is beyond baffling, especially when the DA’s office already knew he had confessed to killing—and named—at least nine of the victims and led police to their bodies in 1973. They also knew that David Brooks told investigators that Henley had killed at least four more boys, raising Henley’s body count to thirteen (fourteen if you include the killing of Dean Corll).
Other than saving investigators gas money from not having to question Henley again, there was absolutely no benefit for the victims’ family members or the public. In fact, the immunity agreement condemned the family members of twenty-nine victims to endless parole hearings until Henley is released or dies in prison—and even worse, the Baulch brothers’ family will never find justice, despite Henley’s 1973 confession that he killed both boys and the fact that DNA has confirmed their identities.
What’s Next:
Serial Part 1 launches an ongoing investigation into the Houston Mass Murders, with five parts released so far, each blending forensic science, archival research, and raw human stories. Join me in this journey to uncover the truth behind this haunting case.
