Wednesday morning did not begin well for the Houston Police Department or Mayor Bill White.

Why?

The Houston Chronicle’s lead editorial supporting KHOU's investigation of homicides the city didn't count.

The editorial board of the Chronicle concluded, “Lower violent crime statistics are good news only if they are accurate and believable.”

And now, the Mayor's on the defensive.

“There's not been an intentional effort to hide data,” said White.

Intentional or not, the mayor is admitting to potential problems in at least six homicides the 11 News Defenders uncovered.

“Based off some of the issues you've raised… I think there's going be a lot more discipline in the way the reports are handled,” said White.

And in a major about face, the city’s finally admitting to problems in HPD’s investigation of Stephen McCoy's death that after being shot in the chest three times and then in the back of the head, police labeled a suicide even though the medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.

But now?

11 News: The investigation's now back open?

 “Yes,” said White. “My take is: It was a murder and then it was ruled a suicide. And I'm asking (HPD) to take a new look at this case.”

But beyond the numbers, stands Stephen McCoy's mom.

“My child meant a lot to me,” his mother Veola McCoy said. “It got harder and harder as time went by. It really did. Not knowing and not hearing anything.”

11 News: Did you ever give up hope?

Mrs. McCoy: “No, I never gave up hope. Never.”

On Thursday 11 News will show you where the mayor admits to new homicides, the city did not count. Also, the Houston Police Department is promising to finally sit down with us after stonewalling before.