Podcast Summary: 48 Hours — "The Rx Defense"

Release Date: February 9, 2026
Host: CBS News (Narrated by CBS correspondents, including Tracy Smith)

Overview of the Episode

This episode of "48 Hours" investigates the disturbing case of Connor Hilton, a Texas teenager who shot two of his close friends, Ethan Riley and Benjamin Bleak, during a gathering at his home in December 2023. Initially appearing as an act of inexplicable violence, the defense offers a contentious explanation: Connor's actions, they claim, were driven by a psychotic break induced by the acne medication Accutane (isotretinoin). The episode explores the investigation, the emotional toll on all families involved, the controversial medical defense, and the courtroom outcome, raising critical questions about mental health, medication side effects, accountability, and justice.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Night of the Shooting (00:16–06:00)

• Frantic 911 Call:
  Connor Hilton calls 911 in a state of distress after shooting his friends, Ethan and Ben. The first officers on the scene find Connor and quickly detain him. Both victims have gunshots to the head.

  • Quote:

    "Two teenage males. Okay. Inside... I think they're deceased." — Connor Hilton (01:01)

• Initial Chaos:
  A 15-year-old boy at the scene, who was in the bathroom during the shooting, recounts how quickly the violence erupted. Connor expresses regret almost immediately.

  • Quote:

    "And Connor was like, 'What have I done? What have I done?' and started crying..." — 15-year-old witness (05:44)

The Aftermath and Family Impact (06:00–12:00)

• Shocked Families:
  Connor's parents, Johnice and Neil Hilton, react with disbelief, describing Connor as a mild, well-behaved child with no history of trouble.

  • Quote:

    "We knew that our son, not in a million years in his right mind would do that." — Johnice Hilton (21:45)

• Victims’ Families:
  Ben survives after life-threatening injuries and a long, grueling recovery. Ethan Riley succumbs to his injuries on Christmas Eve 2023.

Confession and Interrogation (12:00–16:00)

• Evolving Stories:
  During police interrogation, Connor initially claims self-defense, then insists the shootings were accidental, and finally admits he had long-term homicidal and suicidal thoughts, had planned the shooting, and pressured his mother to buy the gun.
  • Quote:

    "I've had suicidal, homicidal thoughts for so long. ... The idea of murder is just super interesting for me. I don't know why." — Connor Hilton (14:06)

  • Quote:

    "I convinced my mom to buy that gun for me so I could either shoot myself or shoot somebody." — Connor Hilton (14:09)

The "Rx Defense": Accutane and Its Alleged Role (21:58–34:44)

• Defense’s Argument:
  The defense, led by Adam Brown, J.L. Carpenter, and Rick De Toto, focus on Connor's use of Accutane, which is known to have some possible psychiatric side effects. They recruit Dr. Doug Bremner, an Emory University psychiatrist specializing in Accutane’s impacts.

  • Quote:

    "I think he became psychotic on Accutane and he had recurrent homicidal ideation that he was not able to control." — Dr. Doug Bremner (26:29)

  • Quote:

    "These thoughts did not occur before he took Accutane. He went off the drug and those thoughts went away. ... That’s considered to be proof basically of a causal effect between a drug and a symptom." — Dr. Doug Bremner (26:38)

• Prosecution Pushback:
  Lead prosecutor Kayla Allen dismisses the "Accutane defense" and highlights Connor’s awareness of wrongdoing and his calculated actions before and after the crime. She emphasizes evidence of premeditation from Connor’s online activity.

  • Quote:

    "I think that he just wanted to see what it felt like to kill someone. And that had nothing to do with the acne medication." — Kayla Allen (30:35)

• Contradictory Evidence:
  The prosecution presents evidence that Connor expressed fascination with murder before taking Accutane, citing social media posts and interest in true crime. They also introduce a study disputing increased psychiatric risk from isotretinoin.

• Courtroom Ruling:
  Judge restricts Dr. Bremner’s testimony to the punishment phase only, shutting down the argument for the guilt/innocence phase.

Plea, Sentencing, and Impact Statements (35:57–42:15)

• Plea Deal:
  Facing the risk of a life sentence, Connor accepts a plea deal: 50 years in prison, eligible for parole at age 43.

  • Quote:

    "I don't want the families to have to go through that." — Connor Hilton on why he pled guilty (36:35)

• Victim and Family Statements:
  Ben Bleak delivers a powerful impact statement:

  • Quote:

    "First of all, stop sniveling, stop crying. You did this to yourself. … I will never forgive you." — Ben Bleak (38:51)

  Ben’s mother, Shannon, blames Connor’s mother for providing her son with a gun:

  • Quote:

    "Shame on you." — Shannon Bleak (39:31)

  Johnice Hilton, Connor’s mother, expresses regret but denies intentionally buying the gun for Connor:

  • Quote:

    "I’m so sorry that this happened. And I do feel responsible. I wish I could go back and change everything." — Johnice Hilton (40:58)

  Ethan Riley’s father gives a heartfelt speech remembering his son’s kindness.

Lives After the Crime (42:15–43:12)

• Ben’s Recovery and Outlook:
  Ben undergoes significant rehabilitation and displays remarkable resilience, with his mother supporting him. He focuses on moving forward rather than anger.
  • Quote:

    "It is very difficult, but pouting about it is not going to get Ethan back. Just gotta keep going." — Ben Bleak (42:38, 42:54)

Wider Issues Raised

• Medication, Mental Health, and Criminal Justice:
  The episode underscores the complexities of assigning culpability when mental health and pharmaceutical side effects are at play. The case raises questions about the legal system’s ability to handle emerging scientific knowledge in the courtroom and challenges listeners to consider where blame and responsibility should reside in such tragic scenarios.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker/Context | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------| | 01:01 | "Two teenage males. Okay. Inside. I think they're deceased." | Connor Hilton — calling 911 | | 14:06 | "I've had suicidal, homicidal thoughts for so long. ... The idea of murder is just super interesting for me. I don't know why." | Connor Hilton — confession | | 21:45 | "We knew that our son, not in a million years in his right mind would do that." | Johnice Hilton, Connor's mother | | 26:29 | "I think he became psychotic on Accutane and he had recurrent homicidal ideation that he was not able to control." | Dr. Doug Bremner, defense expert | | 30:35 | "I think that he just wanted to see what it felt like to kill someone. And that had nothing to do with the acne medication." | Kayla Allen, prosecutor | | 38:51 | "First of all, stop sniveling, stop crying. You did this to yourself. … I will never forgive you." | Ben Bleak to Connor in court | | 39:31 | "Shame on you." | Shannon Bleak to Johnice Hilton | | 40:58 | "I’m so sorry that this happened. And I do feel responsible. I wish I could go back and change everything." | Johnice Hilton | | 42:54 | "Just gotta keep going." | Ben Bleak |

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Crime Scene & Confession:
  00:16–06:00 – 911 call, scene discovery, and initial police actions
  12:14–16:21 – Police interrogation and emotional confession

• Victims' Families and Recovery:
  08:34–09:13 – Ben’s mother finds out he’s been shot
  19:25–21:33 – Ben’s hospital recovery and adjusting to life after injury

• Legal Proceedings & "Rx Defense":
  22:20–34:44 – Development of Accutane defense, interviews with Dr. Bremner, and prosecution’s counterarguments

• Courtroom & Resolution:
  35:57–39:31 – Plea hearing, victim impact statements, addressing of the gun purchase

• Aftermath & Moving Forward:
  42:15–43:12 – Ben’s resilience and focus on recovery

Tone and Style

The episode is sobering, emotional, and investigative, blending the forensic detail and moral questioning "48 Hours" is known for. Victims' suffering, family grief, legal disputes, and ethical dilemmas are interwoven, creating a nuanced picture of a modern American tragedy amplified by the intersection of youth vulnerability, prescription medicine risks, and insufficient support systems.

This summary condenses the episode’s content, focusing on the case details, legal strategies, and human stories without including commercials or unrelated segments. For those who have not listened, this outline provides a clear view of the tragedy, the "Rx Defense" argument, the court's response, and the ongoing impact on all lives touched by the events.