Teen who shot two teen boys claims his prescription acne medication drove him to kill | 48 Hours
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Connor Hilton, 17, shot 18-year-old Ethan Riley and 19-year-old Benjamin Bleke at his home on December 23, 2023.
- ❖Ethan Riley died; Benjamin Bleke survived with severe brain injuries and underwent extensive rehabilitation.
- ❖Connor initially claimed self-defense, then an accident, before confessing to premeditated murder driven by suicidal and homicidal thoughts.
- ❖His defense attributed his actions to psychosis caused by Accutane (isotretinoin), citing a medical expert's research on brain activity changes.
- ❖The prosecution argued Connor was in his right mind, pointing to his shifting stories and prior fascination with murder.
- ❖A judge ruled the defense's expert could only testify during the punishment phase, limiting its impact on the guilt/innocence phase.
- ❖Connor accepted a plea deal of 50 years in prison for murder and aggravated assault, waiving his right to appeal.
- ❖Victims' families, particularly Ben Bleke, strongly rejected the Accutane defense, calling it an 'excuse.'
- ❖Connor's mother purchased the gun less than two months before the crime but denied awareness of his homicidal intentions.
Insights
1Accutane Defense: Psychosis and Brain Activity
Connor Hilton's defense argued his actions were driven by psychosis induced by Accutane (isotretinoin), a prescription acne medication. Dr. Doug Brener, a professor of psychiatry and radiology, testified that isotretinoin impacts a part of the brain that regulates emotion and impulsivity, showing visible decreases in brain function in studies. Connor reported experiencing homicidal thoughts only after starting the medication, with thoughts subsiding when he stopped and returning when he resumed. He also took a double dose on the day of the shooting.
Dr. Brener's testimony and studies on isotretinoin's impact on brain function (), Connor's self-reported timeline of thoughts (, ), and his double dose on the day of the shooting ().
2Shifting Narratives and Premeditation
Connor Hilton provided multiple, conflicting accounts of the shooting. Initially, he claimed self-defense, stating Ethan tried to attack him. He then shifted to an accidental discharge. Finally, in an emotional interrogation, he confessed to long-standing suicidal and homicidal thoughts, admitting he planned to shoot his friends and convinced his mother to buy the gun for this purpose. He expressed relief after confessing.
Connor's initial self-defense claim (), his 'accident' story (), and his later confession of premeditation and homicidal thoughts during interrogation (, , ).
3Prosecution's Counter-Argument: 'Evil' and Prior Behavior
Prosecutor Kayla Allen rejected the Accutane defense, asserting Connor was 'evil' and acted intentionally. She cited Connor's initial self-defense claim as proof he was in his right mind, capable of forming a defense. She also highlighted his police interview where he acknowledged knowing right from wrong and planning the act. Furthermore, Connor's friends reported his fascination with murder, online activity (downloading murder videos, social media posts about killing), and a disturbing question to a friend about killing friends, all before the shooting.
Prosecutor Kayla Allen's statements (, ), Connor's self-defense claim (), his social media posts and online activity (), and a friend's report of Connor asking about killing friends ().
4Victim Impact and Ben Bleke's Recovery
Ethan Riley died on Christmas Eve, devastating his family. Benjamin Bleke, despite being shot in the head, miraculously survived but faced an arduous recovery, learning to walk, talk, and swallow again. Ben, who has no memory of the shooting, discovered the details from an article and expressed fury at Connor. He strongly dismissed the Accutane defense, calling it 'horseshit,' and delivered a powerful victim impact statement, telling Connor he would 'never forgive' him.
Ethan's death (), Ben's injuries and recovery (, ), his reaction to learning the truth (), his rejection of the defense (), and his victim impact statement ().
Bottom Line
Connor Hilton's unnervingly polite demeanor, even during interrogation and interviews (asking officers about Christmas, asking the interviewer if she was okay after an emotional question), creates ambiguity. This could be interpreted as a sign of detachment or a calculated attempt to appear sympathetic, complicating the 'psychosis' versus 'evil' debate.
This unusual politeness challenges typical expectations of a violent offender, making it harder for observers to categorize his mental state or motives. It highlights the psychological complexity of such cases.
Further psychological analysis could explore how individuals with severe mental health issues or psychopathic tendencies present in high-stress situations, potentially informing interrogation techniques or diagnostic criteria.
Connor's mother purchased the gun used in the shooting less than two months prior, initially telling police she bought it for him, then later denying it and claiming memory loss. She also dismissed his social media posts about murder as 'not warning signs.'
This raises questions about parental responsibility, gun access, and awareness of a child's mental state and online activities. Her shifting statements and denial of warning signs complicate the narrative of a 'good kid' suddenly changed by medication.
This situation underscores the need for stricter parental oversight regarding firearm access and digital activity, as well as education for parents on recognizing potential warning signs of violent ideation, regardless of perceived causes.
Lessons
- Parents must maintain active vigilance over their teenagers' online activities and social media presence, looking for any concerning content or expressions of violent ideation.
- Thoroughly understand and discuss all potential side effects of prescription medications with doctors, especially those with psychiatric warnings, and report any behavioral or mood changes immediately.
- Recognize that a sudden, drastic change in a teenager's personality or interests, particularly towards dark or violent themes, warrants immediate professional psychological evaluation, even if no clear cause is apparent.
Notable Moments
The 15-year-old friend hiding in the bathroom heard two gunshots and then Connor crying, 'What have I done? What have I done?'
This moment captures the immediate aftermath of the shooting from a survivor's perspective, highlighting Connor's initial remorse and confusion, which contrasts with his later confession of premeditation.
Ben Bleke, despite severe brain injuries, learned to walk and talk again, demonstrating remarkable resilience and determination in his recovery.
Ben's survival and recovery provide a rare positive element in a tragic story, showcasing the human capacity for healing and perseverance against overwhelming odds.
Connor Hilton, in an interview, paused to ask the interviewer if she was okay after she asked him an emotional question about his friends.
This interaction was described as 'unnervingly polite' and 'so unusual,' highlighting a perplexing aspect of Connor's demeanor that complicates understanding his motives and mental state.
Quotes
"You know what? I need to be honest with you guys. I just need to be Oh my god. Okay. I've had suicidal homicidal thoughts for so long."
"I convinced my mom to buy that gun for me so I could either shoot myself or shoot somebody."
"The idea of murder is just super interesting for me. I don't know why. I don't know why. I don't know why."
"I think he became psychotic on Accutane and he had recurrent homicidal ideation that he was not able to control."
"I don't think a jury was going to buy the Accutane made me do it defense."
"He would say, 'One day, I want to be important. I want to leave a legacy.' And he would make comments about killing people."
"First of all, stop sniveling. Stop crying. You did this to yourself. Secondly, the grief you have caused the Riley and my own family. I will never forgive you."
"We are all living this nightmare because a mother chose not to tell her son no when he asked her to buy a gun. This mother put the gun in the hand of a child who should not have had it. Shame on you."
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