Connor Hilton murder case: Did acne medicine drive the teen to kill? Judge denies defense request

Judge strikes down psychosis defense strategy 

GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas - On Tuesday, 10th District Court Judge Rebecca Millo ruled a new defense strategy in the Connor Hilton murder case will not be admissible to determine guilt in his trial next month. 

Rick Detoto, Hilton's defense attorney, says their argument was that the acne medication Hilton was taking triggered a drug-induced psychosis at the time of the offense, a theory they won't be able to use until after a verdict. 

"The judge has ruled that it's not admissible to determine whether or not Connor is guilty - but it should be admissible in mitigation. Mitigation being trying to lower the punishment that the jury gives him if he's found guilty in the case," said Deteto. 

Hilton is charged with murder and aggravated assault causing serious injury, accused of shooting two of his friends in 2023.  

The defense: Did Accutane drive him to kill?

What we know:

During a hearing on Monday, a witness for the defense team, Dr. James Douglas Bremner said, in his opinion, an acne medication marketed as Accutane caused or contributed to Hilton's mental state. 

The defense said Hilton had been taking the medicine to treat acne that caused large, painful cysts and bleeding across his body. They say he had been on the medication since July 2022, and on the day of the shootings, he took four 80-milligram pills - which was more than what was prescribed.

"Basically, our expert said that because of using Accutane he was in psychosis and could not control his conduct - it's consistent with what happened in this case. That he was a normal kid until he started using Accutane," said Detoto. 

What is Accutane?

According to Cleveland Clinic, Accutane, or isotretinoin, is "a type of retinoid medication that treats severe acne."

"Accutane is a oral vitamin A that is given for moderate to severe acne. It's prescribed for cystic acne that is difficult to treat," said MD Sadaf Javaid. 

According to the Food and Drug Administration, the medicine has also been linked to mood changes, depression, personality shifts, and thoughts of suicide and homicide in some users. However, the FDA reported the cases were rare.

Javaid says in her work as a psychiatrist, she has evaluated patients before the medication is prescribed. "I see a bunch of kids and adolescents who are referred to me by their dermatologist prior to starting Accutane because one of the known side effects of Accutane is it can cause depression," she said. 

The backstory:

The 2023 killing

Hilton is accused of shooting two of his friends in the head at his Friendswood home the day before Christmas Eve in 2023, according to documents. The then 17-year-old was charged as an adult in the case. 

Records say the shots killed 18-year-old Ethan Riley and severely injured now-21-year-old Brian Bliek. 

According to court documents, authorities were called out to a home at 1805 La Salle Street, just before 9 p.m. on December 23, 2023. That's after authorities received a 911 call from someone who was hiding in a bathroom, heard two gunshots, and said there were other people inside the home.

When authorities arrived, they approached Hilton, who was said to be visibly distraught, and was asked if anyone was hurt.

According to court documents, Hilton nodded his head indicating yes, and the officer asked who was hurt. Hilton then held up his hand with two fingers extended, motioned toward the home, and said there were two teenagers inside that he believed were dead.

Officers went inside the home, they found the 911 caller and was escorted out. The witness told police he reported hearing Hilton walk by the bathroom door crying and stated, "What have I done?"

Court documents stated that when officers went back into the home, they found  Riley on the floor and Bliek lying on his back toward the rear of the home.

Officers said it appeared that both victims had gunshot wounds to their heads.

What's next:

A trial date for Hilton is scheduled for September 8.

Detoto says while they can't use the drug-induced psychosis theory during the trial, if Hilton is found guilty, it can potentially be used as a point of error on an appeal.