Dean Corll - August 8, 1973

August 8, 1973

On the evening of August 7, 1973, Henley, aged 17, invited a 19-year-old youth named Timothy Cordell Kerley to attend a party at Corll's Pasadena house. Kerley — who was intended to be Corll's next victim — accepted the offer. David Brooks was not present at the time. The two youths arrived at Corll's house and sniffed paint fumes and drank alcohol until midnight before leaving the house to purchase sandwiches. Henley and Kerley then drove back to Houston Heights and Kerley parked his vehicle close to Henley's home: Henley exited the vehicle and walked towards the home of 15-year-old Rhonda Williams, who had been beaten by her drunken father that evening and had decided to temporarily leave home until her father became sober. Henley invited Rhonda to spend the evening at Corll's home: Rhonda agreed and climbed into the back seat of Kerley's Volkswagen. The trio drove towards Corll's Pasadena residence.

At approximately 3 a.m. on the morning of August 8, 1973, Henley and Kerley arrived back at Corll's home accompanied by Rhonda Williams. Corll was furious that Henley had brought a girl along, telling him in private that he had "ruined everything." Henley explained that Williams had argued with her father that evening, and did not wish to return home. Corll appeared to calm down, and offered the three teenagers beer and marijuana. The three teenagers began drinking and smoking the marijuana as Corll watched them intently. After approximately two hours of drinking and smoking, Henley, Kerley, and Williams each passed out.