Elmer Wayne Henley

1. Elmer Wayne Henley “The Candy Man’s Accomplice”

2. Background • His father was an alcoholic and a wife-beater who also physically assaulted his sons, whereas his mother, although strict and religious, was nonetheless protective of her children and strove to ensure her children received a good education and refrained from trouble. • The couple divorced in 1970 when Henley was 14. Henley's mother retained custody of her four sons. • Initially, Henley was a superior student at school,but after his parents' divorce he took a series of part-time jobs to help his mother with household finances, and his grades dropped sharply. At the age of 15 Henley dropped out of high school. • Prior to his leaving high school, Henley became acquainted with a youth one year his senior named David Brooks. The two became friends and cut class together Through his acquaintance with Brooks, Henley became aware that his friend spent a lot of his free time in the company of an older man with whom he himself gradually became a casual acquaintance, Candy Shop Owner: Dean Corll. • He later stated that though he admired Corll because he worked hard, he also suspected that Corll was homosexual, and concluded that Brooks was "hustling himself a queer." • Henley also began spending time in Corll's company. Corll informed Henley that he was involved in organized theft, and he, Brooks and Henley burglarized several addresses, for which Henley was paid small sums of money. On one occasion, Corll asked Henley if he would be willing to kill if required, to which Henley replied, "Yes."

3. Crimes • His first crime was burglary committed with Brooks and Corll. • Henley assisted in the murder and torture of somewhere between 6-27 young boys with the help of serial killer, Dean “The Candy Man”Corll, in Houston.

4. Crimes Accused of Committing Crime Sentence • Henley was charged with the murders of six teenage boys whom he himself lured to Dean Corll'sapartment between March 1972 and July 1973. 594 years in prison

5. Most Recent Crime • It is unknown how many boys Henley himself assisted in murdering. At the end of July 1973, Henley lured two friends, Charles Cobble and Marty Jones, to Corll's apartment where, two days later, Cobble was shot and Jones strangled before the youths were buried in Corll's boat shed. The details are not known, only that Henley, Corll, and the other accomplice participated in this murdering. Corll and Brooks, the other accomplice, afterwards conducted other murders without him. In August 1973, Henley led two more friends to Corll’s residence, but when Corll started torturing them, Henley shot Corll five times.

6. Evidence Brought Against Criminal • The State of Texas presented a total of 82 pieces of evidence throughout Henley's trial, including the written confession Henley had given on August 8, which was read to the court in which he admitted killing or assisting in the abduction and murder of several youths, including the 6 teenagers for whose murder he was on trial. Other pieces of evidence presented included the wooden box used to transport the victims' bodies to the various burial sites and the plywood body board upon which many victims had been restrained. Within the wooden box, investigators had found several strands of human hair which examiners had concluded came from Charles Cobble. A total of 25 witnesses testified as to Henley's involvement in the abductions and murders, including Detective David Mullican.

7. Sentence • On July 16, 1974, after hearing closing arguments from both prosecution and defense, the jury retired to consider their verdict. After one hour of deliberation they reached their conclusion: Henley was found guilty and sentenced to six consecutive 99-year terms of imprisonment. He was not charged with Corll’s death. Henley's conviction was overturned on appeal on December 20, 1978. He was tried for a second time in June 1979 and was again convicted of 6 murders and again sentenced to six consecutive life terms. Henley is currently incarcerated in the Mark W. Michael Unit in Anderson County. Henley first became eligible for parole on July 8, 1980; it was denied, as have all succeeding parole petitions.

8. Quotes • "Y'all better come right now. I killed a man. The address is 2020 Lamar." Henley said this police after murdering Corll. • “My favorite things to paint are flowers and beach scenery.”

9. Theory that explains his behavior The theory that most relates to Henley’s deviance is the Differential-Association Theory. His behavior was largely determined by the company he kept: his father, Brooks, and Corll. His father was abusive and an alcoholic, which could have influenced his deviant behavior. His friend, Brooks, mainly influenced Henley to join him and Corll in murder. Henley wanted to feel like he belonged and needed money and something to do with his time. He learned criminal behavior; theft, torture, murder, from Corll. Both Brooks’ values and Henley’s values were set in money and acceptance. They were so young that they wanted to feel accepted by someone like Corll. The more time Henley spent with Corll, the more deviant his behavior became. I believe that if would have never interacted with Brooks’ or Corll, that he would have not murdered anyone. He might have still participated in deviant behavior, but without the intense influence of Corll or Brooks, I believe that he would have not become that deviant. Henley learned this attitude, behavior, and techniques from Corll. He did not act simply from his own mind.

10. Deterrence or Rehabilitation • I believe that Henley should be punished for what he has done. It is unforgiveable and he should be used as an example for crime deterrence. If the state had offered him rehabilitation or help, what’s to say he would not go out and murder more innocent boys? There is no mercy for murder or torture of children. He should not receive any sympathy or assistance in prison to let him have a better life when his victims are dead.