Full Name:  Elmer Wayne Henley Jr.

Called:  Wayne, Elmo, Mo, any number of permutations of my name. I prefer to be called Wayne.

Birthdate: May 9, 1956

Likes:  chocolate, reading, people, touching, goth females.

Dislikes:  confusion, liars, bigotry, dogmatism, prunes.

What was your childhood like?  Happy, although I suffered from asthma. My memories are happy ones and probably not much different from anyone elses'. I liked school, I liked girls, played baseball, did the Scout thing, and basically lived an average childhood.

Do you still keep in touch with your family?  Definitely! There is no way I could have survived as well throughout this without my family's support and love. My family is my life! Someone, most often my mother and grandmother, has cometo visit me everytime I am eligible for a visit. They have made me an integral part of their life and made me know that I am loved.

Can you describe your relationship with you family before, and after the murders?  First, let me explain that my family consists of my mother, grandmother, and 3 younger brothers. My relationship with them has always been wonderful; my greatest treasure.

What are your opinions on

Religion? Religion should be left to individual choice. I, myself am a freethinking Christian. Too often established denominations make arbitrary rules that really have no bearing on being a good person. Christ taught, simply, to have no other God than the Father; accept the Son as the savior; and to do no thing that will harm oneself or others. I believe that one cannot sin if one lives by those three precepts. Granted that a philosophy for living is much more involved, and needs infinitely more explanation; I believe that it can be condensed to those three things.

Government?  It should end at the front door. The government has no right to dictate what goes on in my house as long as it harms no living thing. The United States is the best, and I'll support it any way that I can. I will defend my country's right to keep me imprisoned-anytime anywhere.

Crime?  Either we want to rehabilitate felons, or we don't, but we need to quit half-stepping. Locking people up, treating them like animals or subhumans, then releasing them back into society is not going to work. If we want them to reintegrate, we need to help them any way we can. Legalize drugs, but give no welfare or public assistance to those that choose to use them.

War?  A necessary evil, but an essential tool. Sometimes force is required to protect the greater good.

Drugs?  A waste of time. The world is too wonderous a place to need enhancement.

Sexuality?  Any sexuality is a private issue and should not be regulated by government or society. If two (or more) consenting adults wish to engage in any sexual activity; then that is their business.

Favorite things to paint?  Flowers and beach scenery. For some reason beaches are peaceful places for me and it helps me to center myself to paint them. Flowers are fun to paint because they can be any shape or color and still look good.

What do you read?  Anything! Hard science-fiction is my first choice, but I like fantasy and historical novels almost as much.

Do you recommend any books?

Time Enough For Love-Robert Heinlein
Stranger In A Strange Land-Robert Heinlein
The Fountainhead & Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
A Boy's Life-Robert McCammon


Favorite music/musicians?  I listen to any type of music, though I am partial to blues and rock. Sade, Patti LaBelle, Pink Floyd, Three Doors Down, Christina Aguilerra, Pink, Linkin Park, Beggin Lennie.

How did you meet Dean Corll?  David Brooks introduced me. I believe I was originally an intended victim, but could not be caught out alone-I was always checking in with my mom.

What was your opinion of him?  I thought him a geek at first, then became scared of him.

What is your opinion of him now?  He was a madman.

Describe the events leading up to Corlls death.  This is a matter of public record and I see no reason to recount that time now.

In 1976, Houston authorites announced that investigations of child pornography had linked other local pedophiles with Corll's murder ring, but no prosecutions were planned. Did any prosecutions take place?  I've no idea, and wish someone would investigate this.

Were others involved with Corll besides Brooks, and yourself?    Most police agencies believe there are more bodies and maybe more accomplices. I tend to agree, although I have no personal knowledge of either one or the other.

David Brooks onced stated "Wayne seems to enjoy causing pain." What do you think of that statement, is it true or false?    Brooks claimed not to be involved, so how would he know one way or another? Brooks gave three differing statements--all contradictory. Ask anyone who knows me personally and you'll get a better answer.

What were you sentenced to?   Life. Actually, six concurrent life terms.

How have you adapted to prison life?   I believe I am managing to walk the line between normalcy and institutionaliziation. It is an effort to be settled, yet not succumb. I try to stay current with events and to keep my mind active. I never forget I am imprisoned while, at the same time, I try to always think as a free man should.

How do you get along with the other inmates?   Hey, in Texas we are no longer called inmates. They call us offenders. No, I'm not sure why nor what the difference is. I think I get along pretty well with other inmates. I believe I am well enough liked and respected by those who know me.

Do you regret the past, and would you change it if you could?   I would definitely change events prior to August 8, 1973. If at all possible I would change the past so that none of those murders had ever occurred.

Anything else you wish to add?   Do not assume the media has reported anything correctly. Their reports are filtered by second/third hand information, personal emotions, and incomplete info. The media tries, but is not infallible. Find out for yourself. I will answer and and all letters and reasonable questions. I particularly wish to invite feminine correspondence. I get all the macho I can stand here in prison.

I would also like to take this opportunity to comment on a pet peeve: People, please put away racial hatred and bigotry. There are too many good people of every race and nationality for one to hate across the board. It is too hard to find a good friend, a real friend, for us to arbitrarily discount whole segments of humanity simply for color, language, eye shape, religion, or origin. Look for the beauty in all people, because, I promise you this, the beauty is there.

 

Elmer Wayne Henley Jr.
PO Box 395
Hooks, TX 77561