Texas Victim Texted Mom Before Death

One last wrenching detail from the murder of an entire family near Houston over the weekend: The mother being held at gunpoint somehow texted her own mother during the ordeal pleading for help, reports the Houston Chronicle. Deputies headed to the scene, but it was too late to save Valerie Jackson, her husband, and her six kids, ranging in age from 6 to 13. Suspect David Conley, Jackson's former boyfriend, appeared in court today, and authorities say it will likely be a "no-brainer" that he'll face the death penalty.

“My heart goes out to the mother who received the text from her daughter that she was in trouble,” says the Harris County district attorney. “And the mother was many states away, but of course, did what any mother’s going to do, which is call 911." (More murder stories.)