Benjamin Elliott, a 21-year-old man from Katy, Texas, is standing trial for the fatal stabbing of his twin sister, Meghan Elliott. In the early morning of September 29, 2021, He stabbed his sister to death in her sleep. When he spoke with police about it, he said he was sleepwalking. However, the prosecution argues he intentionally murdered her. On February 24, 2025, the jury convicted him of felony murder. The jury has decided he is guilty, but Elliott requested the judge decide his fate.ย
Deadly Sleepwalker Benjamin Elliott
ย Elliott was 17 years old at the time of his sisterโs death. Benjamin tells his story of what happened that morning. He told police he woke up out of a dream to see himself standing over his sister, whose face was turning grey and a knife lodged into her neck. He made the wrong choice to pull the knife out of her neck, but he called 911 immediately to report what he had done.
Responding officers arrived shortly after 4 a.m. at the familyโs residence. They found Benjamin attempting CPR on his sister. The knife was taken at the scene and identified as a โsurvival knifeโ belonging to their father. Many of the familyโs testimony during the trial has supported him, and that could not have been easy. However, they do not believe he meant any real harm to Meghan and had no control over his actions at that moment. The twin’s mother, Kathy Elliott, told the jury there was nothing to indicate he wanted his sister dead.ย
Overview of the Trial
A $100,000 bond was placed on Benjamin after the murder, and he made bail immediately. His defense attorney did not deliver an opening statement at the beginning of the trial. Although the defense waived their opportunity on day 1, the prosecution wasted no time. Naturally, they do not believe in the sleepwalking statement and attempted to poke holes in Benjamin’s story. Harris County Assistant District Attorney Maroun Koutani told the jury in his opening statement that cell phone data contradicts the sleepwalking claim.ย
According to the cell phone data, Benjamin’s phone was used before the stabbing, and it was locked for 20 minutes before the 911 call. Prosecutors are also relying on his police statements to support their theory that he knew what he was doing and intentionally stabbed his sister. In his opening statement, Koutani said, โHer last memory is being ripped out of her sleep, her brother standing over her, a knife plunged in her neck and a pillow over her face.โ
On the final day of testimony, the defense brought in a sleep expert to discuss parasomnia and prior criminal cases where it has been identified. When specifically discussing Benjamin, the expert said he would fall asleep quickly but have trouble waking up. During a sleep study, he scored high on a sleepiness scale. The expert testified the knife might have been automatic since it was familiar to him, but it is unclear what would have been the driving force.ย
Thoughts on the Verdict
In bodycam footage shown during the trial, it shows Benjamin performing chest compressions on his sister. The responding officer did not bother intervening since it seemed he was performing it correctly. He showed instant remorse when allegedly telling the responding officer, โI don’t deserve respect. I killed my sister.โย
Closing arguments began on Monday, February 24, 2025, before the jury deliberated. Benjamin Elliott is facing up to 99 years in prison for the brutal stabbing of his twin sister. The motive behind this incident is unknown, maybe even to himself. It is hard to fathom committing such a heinous and destructive act in your sleep without any recollection. At least now, he will suffer the consequences of his actions, and his sister will have justice.ย
