Search continues for Acres Homes killer(s)

Despite early reports of a possible connection between a man arrested in connection with raping a woman and a possible serial killer stalking women in the Acres Homes area, police are stressing that no positive link has been made between Bilford Junious and the killer. And, they say, there's still a good chance the murders weren't all committed by the same person. All of which means the cops may not be any closer to solving the Acres Homes killings — but then again, they might.

Junious, 35, was arrested Friday after the victim of a May 31 rape identified him and his vehicle. According to KHOU, the victim took detailed notes after the attack, taking down a description of the suspect and the make, model, color and license plate number of his car, which led police to Junious and his red Ford Ranger pickup. The possible link between Junious and the killer involves his resemblance to a composite sketch and a tattoo of the scales of justice on his arm — investigators say the killer (or one of the killers) has a similar tattoo. Though Channel 11 reports its sources say Junious has confessed to several sexual assaults, he denies having killed anyone.

Six women's bodies have been found in the woods near Acres Homes in recent months, all nude or partially unclothed and all apparently killed by stabbing or head trauma. HPD Assistant Chief Vicki King was careful to point out yesterday that no one has been conclusively linked with any of the deaths, and she reiterated that "there is a possibility — a distinct possibility — that some of the sexual assaults and some of the suspicious deaths may be linked to different people." According to police, one of the killers is a black man between 20 and 25 years old, between about 5'8" and 6'1", 180 to 220 pounds, with a muscular build and bald head or close-cut hair. He reportedly has a scales of justice tattoo on his left arm and tattoos with gothic lettering on his back. Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 713.222.TIPS.

As for Junious, he was expected to appear in court today, but that appearance was reset for sometime next month, KHOU reports. He is being held in the Harris County Jail on a bond of $120,000 (according to the Chronicle and KHOU — KPRC, oddly enough, reports the bond at $5 million).