Boy Seeks New Trial in Antidepressant Murder Case

A 12-year-old South Carolina boy’s confession of murdering his grandparents and setting their house aflame was significantly influenced by the medication he was taking and his age, his defense lawyer told the Supreme Court.

Christopher Pittman, now 17, was convicted of the slayings in 2005 and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

According to his attorney Andy Vickery who is requesting a new trial, the boy was not aware of the severity of his murder confession in 2001 and was heavily and involuntarily intoxicated by the antidepressant Zoloft.

Zoloft is one of the most popular antidepressants in the U.S. with almost 33 million prescriptions written in 2003. In 2004, studies found that the drug and similar antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, and the Food and Drug Administration ordered a “black box” label (the strongest warning) be added to the Zoloft.

Pittman’s previous attorney have all contended that the boy did not know right from wrong as a result of the medication he was on.

Currently, Vickery argues that Pittman is a completely different person than he was at age 12 and asked the Supreme Court Justices to make a speedy decision, claiming his client would be moved to an adult prison from a juvenile facility in one week.

Seeking an appeal? Please click here today to speak with a qualified and experienced criminal law lawyer who can defend your legal rights and maximize your interests.