GALVESTON, TEXAS — Defense attorneys for Connor Hilton, 18, who faces charges in a 2023 shooting that killed one friend and critically injured another, must adjust their trial strategy after a district court judge denied their request to call a prominent psychiatrist as an expert witness.
Hilton is charged with murder and aggravated assault in the shooting at his home that killed 18-year-old Ethan Riley and seriously wounded 20-year-old Benjamin Bliek.
On Monday, Hilton appeared in 10th District Court before Judge Rebecca Millo, where his attorneys sought permission for Dr. James Douglas Bremner to testify during the trial scheduled for next month. Judge Millo rejected the request without providing an explanation in her ruling issued Tuesday.
The defense had hoped Bremner would provide expert insight into how the acne medication isotretinoin, commonly known as Accutane, may have affected Hilton’s mental state. The drug has been associated in rare cases with mood changes, depression, personality shifts, and even suicidal or homicidal thoughts. Bremner previously testified that 17 homicides reported to the FDA were linked to patients taking the medication.
Hilton’s attorneys—J.L. Carpenter, Adam Brown, and Rick DeToto—expressed disappointment with the ruling but indicated they may appeal.
Tuesday’s hearing was focused solely on the guilt and innocence phase of the trial. Bremner could still be called as a witness during the sentencing phase, the defense noted. “All options remain on the table,” Brown said, including the possibility of a guilty plea aimed at reducing a potential sentence.
Authorities have described Hilton as being in a disturbed mental state at the time of the shooting. In custody, Hilton reportedly told investigators he had “thought about, and wanted to commit a homicide for a long time,” according to an arrest affidavit. He claimed there had been no prior conflict with Riley, Bliek, or a third individual whose identity is redacted. Hilton reportedly displayed the gun to the others before opening fire, the affidavit states.
According to investigators, Hilton “stood up, raised the gun, and shot Riley first in the left side of the head. He then turned to his right and shot Bliek in the left side of the head,” adding that Bliek had raised his hands defensively when he was shot.
Jury selection for the trial is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on September 8.