Prosecutor: Teen confessed three times to killing friend in SE Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Prosecutors say the man accused of killing a 16-year-old boy in southeast Houston confessed three times.

Edward O'Neal, 18, did not appear in probable cause court Thursday due to a medical condition which court officials could not detail.

Prosecutors say he stabbed to death 16-year-old Ryan Roberts, who went missing last month. His body found days later in a wooded area near his home.

Authorities laid out this timeline of events:

January 15 : Robert's mother reported him missing.

January 19: his body was located.

January 21st: O'Neil attempted to commit suicide.

Between then and February 9th: O'Neil allegedly told a relative he killed roberts.

February 9th: O'Neil confessed to police in voluntary statement

February 10th: O'Neil confessed to police again after being read Miranda rights

O'Neil's mother previously told Eyewitness News that her son worshiped the devil and that the murder was a, quote "satanic act." A judge set Oneal's bond at $50,000.

The official cause of death in this case is "multiple sharp force injuries."

The teen's family say they were the first to suspect him of murdering his friend, but they're still coming to his defense.

Mom says son is responsible for a 'satanic' killing