HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A Houston man accused of filing property claims on homes he does not own says he is helping homeless veterans, even as authorities investigate his efforts to take possession of multiple properties tied to high-profile cases across the Houston area.

Matthew Jamal Jackson appeared in court on unrelated trespassing charges and faced questions about records showing he has filed deed claims on roughly a dozen properties, including homes connected to recent family tragedies.

Earlier this year, ABC13 reported that Jackson filed paperwork seeking to claim a Heights home where Lee Gilley is accused of killing his wife.