Judge won't allow doctor to testify about acne drug in Friendswood teen's murder trial
FRIENDSWOOD, Texas — A Friendswood teen accused of shooting two friends, killing one of them, was in a Galveston County courtroom for a hearing on Monday.
An expert with the defense testified that the shooting, allegedly by 18-year-old Connor Hilton, was driven by psychosis caused by Accutane, a popular acne medication.
Ethan Riley, 18, died at the hospital following the December 2023 shooting at Hilton's home. Benjamin Bliek, 19, was seriously hurt.
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.
"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.
Prosecutors disagreed.
"He said he was psychotic because he was taking the Accutane," Galveston County prosecutor Shawn Connally said. "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 replied.
"In Connor Hilton?" Connally said.
"And that's what happened with him," Bremner answered.
Late Tuesday afternoon, the judge denied the defense's request to have the doctor testify at Hilton's trial. The trial is scheduled to begin on September 8.
1 comment:
Looks like his acne has cleared up.
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