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The Boy Who Killed His Twin | Full Episode

2025-10-03 News & Politics
2.5m
31.2k
4.5k
48 Hours
48 Hours
2.5m subscribers

Twin Brother Accused of Murder Claims Sleepwalking Defense

Explore the scientific and legal battle over whether a teenager who stabbed his twin sister committed murder or acted during a rare, violent sleepwalking episode.

Short Summary

  • Outcome: Benjamin Elliott was found guilty of first-degree murder despite a vigorous defense based on parasomnia and sleep science.
  • Why it Matters: This case intensely scrutinizes the limits of the sleepwalking defense when applied to fatal incidents, pitting expert testimony on sleep patterns against behavioral evidence from the interrogation.
  • Orientation: The segment details the immediate aftermath of the stabbing via the 911 call, the conflicting expert testimonies regarding sleep disorders like Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and the prosecution's focus on motive absence and seemingly conscious behavior.

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Description

A teenager stabs his sister — a crime with no known motive. His defense says he was sleepwalking. "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty reports. Watch more full episodes of "48 Hours" on Pluto TV. #48hours #crime #mystery True crime. Real justice. "48 Hours" investigates the most intriguing crime and justice cases that touch on all areas of the human experience including greed and passion. "48 Hours," which premiered in 1988, has developed a rich history of original reporting and impact journalism that has helped exonerate wrongly convicted people, caused cold cases to be reopened and solved, and along the way changed lives. Subscribe to the "48 Hours" YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/48hours Watch full episodes of "48 Hours": https://cbsnews.com/48-hours/full-episodes/ Listen to the "48 Hours" podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/48-Hours Listen to the "My Life of Crime with Erin Moriarty" podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/CBSNewsMLOC Follow "48 Hours" on Instagram: https://instagram.com/48hoursCBS/ Like "48 Hours" on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/48hours Follow "48 Hours" on Twitter: https://twitter.com/48hours Subscribe to our newsletter: https://cbsnews.com/newsletter/ Download the CBS News app: https://cbsnews.com/mobile/ Try Paramount+ free: https://paramountplus.com/?ftag=PPM-05-10aeh8h For video licensing inquiries, contact: [email protected]

Top Comments (10)

@spf25 2025-10-03

Sleepwalking is possible but his lack of remorse and emotion is what’s suspicious.

15.0k 225 replies
@SamtheMan0508 2025-10-04

Just because no one knows the motive, doesn't mean there wasn't a motive.

14.3k 165 replies
@peachfuzz7329 2025-10-04

I’m 100% sure there’s more to this case than the story we’re being told

9.6k 102 replies
@cavo19 2025-10-03

For him to say he’s not guilty of anything is delusional. He showed zero remorse or emotion. Not one single tear.

5.1k 42 replies
@Shana-0596 2025-10-13

Imagine waking up to your son telling you he murdered your daughter. I know their minds were beyond wrecked

4.4k 18 replies
@spitfirestake54 2025-11-10

He’s dangerous whether he’s innocent or not. Committing a homicide while sleep walking? Who is safe around him?

3.1k 37 replies
@SieraAndreozzi 2025-10-18

He’s a victim?? No ma’am. Your DAUGHTER is the victim. Something is really off about this story…

3.0k 42 replies
@Julsans 2026-02-03

1. He stabs her twice in the neck while asleep. 2, He has her face covered with a pillow 3. He doesn't wake his parents but instead whispers while calling 911 4. He remembers his dream 5. He acts very calm, talking about school during interrogation 6. When heard she has passed his reaction is: "hmm". Add more to the naughty list:

709 11 replies
@48hours 2025-10-03

Click here to watch more “48 Hours” full episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcFHkKbd_jTJiRmfUfLX2Ay_hnf5j3cxH

332 13 replies
@brandondaniels2504 2026-02-15

That line of "everyone's here for Benjamin and not one person is here for Megan". That honestly hit me in the soul. 100% accurate

289

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