Teen accused of killing family talks to ABC-13 from jail

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Isaac Tiharihondi, the 19-year-old who is being held at the Harris County Jail on capital murder charges, is speaking out publicly for the first time since he was arrested in his family's murders.

On Tuesday, ABC-13 filled out a card asking to visit with Tiharihondi. Officers delivered it to him, and after waiting for more than two hours, Tiharihondi came walking through that door, ready to face our reporter Chauncy Glover's questions. No cameras were allowed inside the jail, but below is Chauncy's account of what happened.

At first he gave us a blank stare, I told him I was Chauncy Glover from ABC-13. I asked if he knew who I was and if he saw the news last night of him returning home. He nodded yes.

Separated by a glass, Tiharihondi stood tall and made eye contact until he had to bend down to hear my questions through the speaker. I asked him how was he doing.

"I'm taking everything as it comes. I'm taking everything day by day," he replied.

He said he was being treated well on the inside; he said, "I don't talk to people."

Then his face turned grim, like he was removed from the situation. I asked if he killed his family, and if yes, why?

"I'm not going to say anything about my innocence or if I'm guilty," he said.

Then I asked if he misses his family; he shrugged his shoulders. I asked about his little brother Jay. I even talked about how close he was with his brother, taking him to school every day.

"Do you love him? I asked.

"I'm not going to talk about my family or my friends. Please talk to my attorney," he replied.

He just stood there stone-faced.

I asked him if he was praying. He shrugged his shoulders again and looked away. He said he didn't have any other comments and then he thanked me for coming.

Tiharihondi was very well mannered and polite throughout the conversation. He made eye contact and was well-spoken. He acted as if though he really appreciated our visit to him. He seemed very removed and weary. I asked him if he was tired and he said yes. He said he had been getting sleep and he had been eating.

The look on his face and his height and weight were completely different. He may appear angry, but when he opened his mouth, he was surprisingly very soft spoken and polite. I did sense that he was scared, but he didn't show it.