Houston man charged with June slaying of wife, daughter, 14

Police say a Houston man who told investigators that he killed his wife and 14-year-old daughter in self-defense has been charged in the slayings. Michael Ratliff was being held without bond Thursday on a capital murder charge in the June 16 shootings at the family’s home. Online records don’t list an attorney to speak for the 43-year-old Ratliff, who was arrested Wednesday. Houston police questioned Ratliff after the shooting deaths of 44-year-old Sandtrece Ratliff and the couple’s daughter, Ariel, with no charges immediately filed. A police statement says Ratliff initially said that his wife and daughter tried to attack him with knives and he was protecting himself. Police on Thursday said evidence at the scene indicated the gunfire was not self-defense. Authorities didn’t release details.