Texas Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Stabbing Twin Sister, Claims He Was Sleepwalking

Houston, March 3, 2025: A Texas man who claimed he was sleepwalking when he fatally stabbed his twin sister has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, following a controversial trial that raised questions about sleep-related disorders and criminal responsibility.

Benjamin Elliott, now 21, was convicted of the 2021 killing of his twin sister, Meghan Elliott, at their Houston home. During the trial, the defense argued that Elliott was experiencing a parasomnia episode—an involuntary sleep disorder—when he attacked his sister. However, prosecutors insisted that his actions were intentional, leading to a second-degree murder conviction.

911 Call and Attempted CPR

According to court records, Elliott called 911 in the early hours of September 29, 2021, claiming he had just awakened to find himself in his sister's bedroom, with a knife in her neck.

“I think I was dreaming,” Elliott reportedly told the operator, expressing shock and confusion over the incident.

Realizing the severity of the situation, Elliott said he removed the knife and attempted to stop the bleeding before performing CPR, as instructed by the emergency dispatcher. However, by the time paramedics arrived, Meghan was unresponsive, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Elliott’s Confession and Trial Testimony

Following his arrest, Elliott appeared deeply remorseful, reportedly telling officers, “I don’t deserve respect. I killed my sister.”

During the trial, both prosecution and defense attorneys presented neurological and sleep disorder experts to analyze Elliott’s claim of sleepwalking at the time of the attack.

The defense called Dr. Jerald Simmons, a neurologist specializing in parasomnias, who testified that rare sleep disorders can trigger involuntary violent behavior during deep sleep. Dr. Simmons argued that Elliott had no history of aggression and that the tragic event was consistent with a sleep disorder episode.

“If it wasn’t possible, I wouldn’t have taken this position,” Simmons later told ABC13, suggesting that the jury may have overlooked critical scientific evidence.

However, the prosecution countered that Elliott’s actions demonstrated intent, pointing to his immediate response after the stabbing, including his decision to remove the knife, apply pressure, and call 911. They argued that his awareness of the situation contradicted the claim that he was unaware of his actions.

The Verdict and Sentencing

After deliberations, the jury rejected the sleepwalking defense, convicting Elliott of murder. On Monday, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison, a decision that left legal experts divided over whether the case set a precedent for sleep-related criminal defenses.

Legal Implications: Can Sleep Disorders Be a Legal Defense?

Elliott’s case is one of several rare instances where sleep disorders have been cited as a defense in violent crimes. While parasomnia-related violence is an established medical phenomenon, its legal acceptance remains controversial.

Though some past cases have resulted in acquittals, juries often struggle to determine whether sleep disorders fully absolve defendants of responsibility or if underlying intent plays a role.

As Elliott begins his prison term, experts continue to debate whether justice was served—or if the case raises deeper concerns about the intersection of neurology, mental health, and criminal law.