48 Hours: Post Mortem | The Rx Defense

Host: Anne-Marie Green
Guest: CBS News Correspondent Tracy Smith
Air Date: February 10, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of "48 Hours: Post Mortem" dives into the sensational and troubling case of 17-year-old Connor Hilton, who shot two of his friends—Ethan Riley and Benjamin Bleak—in his Texas home during a scheduled hangout on December 23, 2023. While Ben survived the attack, Ethan died in the hospital. The case attracted national attention when Connor’s defense argued that side effects from his acne medication, Accutane (isotretinoin), drove him to commit the act—an argument both unprecedented and highly controversial. Host Anne-Marie Green and correspondent Tracy Smith unpack the unique defense, the science behind the claim, the families’ devastation, and the aftermath for all involved.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Unusual Accutane Defense

• Introduction to the "Rx Defense":

  • Connor’s lawyers centered their strategy around his prescription for Accutane, suggesting the medication’s side effects—specifically, altered thought and behavior—compelled his violent actions ([00:20]-[01:55]).
  • “I never heard of anyone being driven to kill because of [Accutane].” - Anne-Marie Green ([01:36])

• Accutane’s Known Side Effects:

  • Smith confirms the drug’s label warns of depression, psychosis, suicide, and violent or aggressive behaviors, though successful criminal defenses on these grounds are rare ([01:55]-[02:41]).
  • “As a mom, I know kids who’ve been on Accutane…a lot of people are on this drug and don’t suffer any severe adverse reactions.” – Tracy Smith ([02:12])

• Expert Testimony and Science:

  • Defense expert Dr. Doug Bremner presented research and brain scans purporting reduced activity in emotion-regulating brain areas in patients on isotretinoin ([02:47]-[03:45]).
  • Connor admitted to Dr. Bremner he doubled his prescribed dose on the day of the shooting.

2. Investigating Red Flags and Pre-Attack Behavior

• No Warnings from Parents, Growing Concerns:

  • Connor’s parents denied seeing behavioral red flags, but police and friends noted troubling incidents ([03:45]-[05:43]).
  • Example: A friend recalled Connor recently asking, “Have you ever thought about killing one of your friends?” ([04:29])
  • Connor’s social media expressed a fascination with murder, with two anonymous reports made to his school months earlier; school found no threat.

• Timeline and Causality:

  • The question remained whether Connor’s fixation on violence began before or after starting Accutane; defense argued it followed the prescription, while prosecution refuted any cause and effect ([05:30]-[05:43]).

3. Evaluating the Defense and Connor’s Persona

• The Prosecution’s Standpoint:

  • Prosecutors highlighted recent studies failing to connect isotretinoin to increased risk of suicide/psychiatric conditions; they dismissed Connor’s actions as evil, not medicated madness ([05:49]-[06:40]).

• Smith’s Interview with Connor:

  • Connor was extremely polite and hesitant during his pre-plea interview, rarely commenting on the specifics ([06:40]-[08:02]).
  • Notable Quote:
    • “I never hated them. I never hated him.” – Connor Hilton about his victims ([07:48])
  • Emotional moment: Connor paused for a water break, then asked Smith if she was okay ([08:25]-[08:39]).
    • Smith: “I’ve never had someone say that to me in an interview before.” ([08:40])
  • Detective and bodycam footage noted similar extreme politeness after the incident.

4. Focus on the Victims

• Tragic Aftermath:

  • First responders arrived to find both victims shot in the head but alive; Ethan died later Christmas Eve as Connor was released on bond ([10:30]-[10:55]).
  • Ethan remembered as “full of love and light” by family and friends ([11:38]).

• Revelation of Ben’s Survival:

  • Ben’s unexpected appearance in the episode: “walking miracle.” His mother recounts moments that reassured her Ben’s humor had survived ([12:13]-[12:46]).
  • Ben has no memory of the shooting but adamantly rejects Accutane as a factor, labeling the defense “horseshit” ([13:13])
  • “He doesn’t mince words. It’s a little bit of his humor, too, there.” – Tracy Smith ([13:15])

• Impact on Recovery:

  • Ben, the oldest of the group, was already in college and had to relearn basic functions after his injury. His mother describes the process as “like having a baby again” ([13:31]-[14:05]).
  • Re-acclimating to life: Ben’s goal is to dunk a basketball again ([16:19]-[16:31]; see Quotes below).

5. Guilty Plea and Sentencing

• Plea Deal Details:

  • Two weeks before trial, Connor took a plea: 50 years for murder and aggravated assault; eligible for parole in 25 years ([14:05]-[15:45]).
  • Smith explains the risks and rarity around such a plea, noting Connor later regretted it but had formally waived rights to trial and appeal.

• Victim Impact Statement:

  • Ben addressed Connor at sentencing, declaring he would never forgive him for the harm caused ([15:45]-[16:07]).

6. Reflection and Broader Takeaways

• Ben’s Perspective on Resilience:

  • When asked what keeps him going:
    • Notable Quote:
      • Anne-Marie: "What do you want to be able to do?"
        Ben: "I know it sounds dumb, but I want to dunk a basketball." ([16:31]-[16:40])
  • Despite residual speech and mobility challenges, Ben’s spirit and humor shine; pickleball emerged as a key part of therapy and recovery ([17:14]-[17:51]).

• Parenting in the Digital Age:

  • Both host and guest reflect on the importance of parental vigilance over teenagers’ online activities and mental health ([17:51]-[18:40]).
    • “Sometimes we need to be the parent and not the friend and say no.” – Tracy Smith ([18:27])

• Closure and Unanswered Questions:

  • The host expresses relief the families avoided a protracted trial but curiosity about the viability of the "Rx Defense" in court ([18:40]-[19:00])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I never heard of anyone being driven to kill because of [Accutane].”
  – Anne-Marie Green ([01:36])

• “There was no argument?”
  – Tracy Smith ([07:53])
  “No, ma’am.” – Connor Hilton ([07:54])

• “Are you okay? Am I not, like, freaking out or anything?”
  – Connor Hilton to Tracy Smith ([08:25])

• “Full of love and light.”
  – Ethan Riley’s father, describing his son ([11:38])

• “In fact, he called it. He called the defense horseshit.”
  – Anne-Marie Green quoting Ben ([13:13])

• “I know it sounds dumb, but I want to dunk a basketball.”
  – Ben, on his post-injury goal ([16:31])

• “Sometimes we need to be the parent and not the friend and say no.”
  – Tracy Smith on parental vigilance ([18:27])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Unique Accutane Defense: [00:20]-[03:45]
• Behavioral Red Flags & Social Media: [03:45]-[05:43]
• Evaluating Defense & Connor’s Interview: [05:49]-[09:15]
• Victim Impact & Family Memories: [10:30]-[13:31]
• Aftermath for Ben: [13:31]-[14:05]; resuming [16:07]-[17:51]
• Plea Deal and Sentencing: [14:05]-[15:45]
• Reflection on Parenting: [17:51]-[18:40]
• Closing Thoughts: [18:40]-[19:00]

Summary prepared for those seeking an in-depth understanding of the Connor Hilton case and the viability—and fallout—of the controversial “Rx Defense.” The podcast provides not only a legal analysis but emotional depth through survivor stories and thoughtful reflection on issues of teenage mental health and modern parenting.