In a plea deal, Connor Hilton admitted he shot and killed Ethan Riley, 18, and wounded Benjamin Bliek, 19, at his home in December 2023.
FRIENDSWOOD, Texas — A Friendswood teen will spend decades in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday to the 2023 murder of one friend and the aggravated assault of another.
As part of a plea deal, the Galveston County judge sentenced Connor Hilton, 18, to 50 years in prison for the murder charge. He added 20 years in prison for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Hilton broke down in tears after entering the pleas.
On August 26, the teen’s defense fell apart when the judge refused to allow a doctor to testify that Accutane, a popular acne drug, caused psychosis that left Hilton unable to control his actions.
The teen was 17 when he shot and killed Ethan Riley, 18, and seriously injured Benjamin Bliek, 19, at his home in December 2023.
A witness who was hiding in the bathroom called police after hearing gunfire. According to court documents, the witness told investigators that Hilton walked by the bathroom door, saying, “What have I done?”
According to court documents, Hilton later told investigators that he’d been thinking about committing homicide for a long time. The teen also reportedly told the police that the victims did nothing to provoke the shooting.
Investigators said Hilton called the two victims over to his home and was showing off a gun when he shot them.
Hilton’s murder trial was scheduled to begin on September 8.
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