Connor Hilton is accused of killing one friend and injuring another in 2023. His lawyer said the drug Accutane played a role.
FRIENDSWOOD, Texas — A Friendswood teen accused of shooting two friends, killing one of them, was in court for a hearing on Tuesday.
An expert with the defense says the shooting allegedly by Connor Hilton, now 18, was driven by psychosis caused by a popular acne medication.
Ethan Riley died at the hospital following the December 2023 shooting at Hilton’s home. Benjamin Bilek was seriously hurt.
According to court documents, Hilton told investigators that he’d been thinking about committing homicide for a long time.
Investigators said Hilton called the two victims over to his home and was showing off a gun when he shot them.
“Did you form an opinion as to whether or not Connor was suffering from psychosis on the night of the incident in this case that he is charged with?” defense attorney Rick DeToto asked in court.
“Yes,” answered Dr. James Douglas Bremner.
“What is that opinion?” DeToto asked.
“Is that he had a medication-induced psychotic disorder,” Bremner answered.
The doctor then went on to explain that it basically means that Hilton was not in control of his normal thoughts and behaviors at the time of the shooting.
“He said he was psychotic because he was taking the Accutane,” said Galveston County prosecutor Shawn Connally. “I need you to draw a line and explain to me how Connor Hilton taking Accutane made him insane at the time of the offense.”
“Well, we know Accutane can cause psychosis,” Bremner said.
“In Connor Hilton,” Connally said.
“And that’s what happened with him,” Bremner answered.
Hilton is scheduled to go to trial next month.
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