HOUSTON -- A man charged in the deaths of a couple and six children at a Texas home has professed love for one of the victims -- his son -- but said he thought the children were "growing up to be monsters."
David Conley, who was in custody Wednesday on capital murder counts, was formerly in a relationship with the children's mother, Valerie Jackson. Authorities say the two had a 13-year-old son together.
Conley, 48, told local media he loved his son "to death" but that he and the other children weren't being raised properly and acted unkindly toward others.
"They were growing up to be monsters, they were disrespectful, rude in school," Conley told one TV station. "I'm not saying they're dead because of that. I'm not even saying I killed them. God says in the Bible do not disrespect your mother and father or your days will be short, but I'm not saying that's what happened."
All victims were shot in the head. Police have said most had been handcuffed and some had been shot multiple times.
Court records show Conley had a history of domestic violence against Jackson. Conley said Jackson's husband was a "monster" and had harassed him, and said previous charges of domestic violence against him were "all lies."
Authorities have said Conley told them he discovered on Saturday morning that the locks had been changed at the home after he had moved out. He entered the home through an unlocked window.
Prosecutors haven't decided whether they'll seek the death penalty.
