A Texas jury found Benjamin Elliott guilty of felony murder for stabbing his twin sister to death when they were 17 years old.
Shortly after the jury reached a guilty verdict, the judge in the case handed down a 15-year prison sentence. The defense had requested a shorter five-year term, emphasizing the jury’s recommendation for a lighter sentence.
As previously noted by CrimeOnline, authorities responded to a residence on Brown Meadow Court in Katy at 4:42 a.m. on September 29, 2021. Upon arrival, they found Elliott administering CPR to his sister in one of the bedrooms.
According to the sheriff’s office, 17-year-old Meghan Elliott had multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead by emergency medical services.
During his trial, Elliott played a recorded statement for the jury, detailing waking up from a dream to discover himself standing over his sister. He recounted removing the knife and promptly calling 911 to report the stabbing.
Harris County Assistant District Attorney Maroun Koutani argued in his opening statement that cell phone evidence contradicted the defendant’s sleepwalking claim, while the defense argued that the killing was unintentional.
“How could a kid who cherishes his sister, who loves her, protects her,” Defense attorney Wes Rucker told jurors. “How could someone commit a crime that heinous without a reasonable explanation?”
According to ABC 13, the sleepwalking defense is rare but has been used in the past. In 2019, Raymond Lazarine claimed this defense during his murder trial in Harris County for killing his wife, but he was convicted.
Listen to the latest episode below.
[Feature Photo: Benjamin Elliott/Harris County PD]
