HOUSTON – A jury convicted a teenage boy Thursday night of killing a Pearland girl who was pregnant with his twins.
Ryan Matthews was convicted on two counts of capital murder in the death of Arrijana Hill.
Hill was found dead March 21, 2014, inside her home in the 3200 block of East Cedar Hollow Drive. Her family arrived home to find the house in disarray, and Hill in a pool of blood.
Matthews took the stand Thursday morning telling prosecutors if he killed Arrijana he would "be a man and 'fess up." However, he also admitted to lying to detectives several times throughout their investigation.
During closing arguments prosecutors read several text messages between Matthews and Hill. Matthews sent one which reads: "Can I just punch you in the stomach please lol." Prosecutors say it's proof that he did not want the babies. They also pointed out how he did a Google search of the word "abortion" prior to Hill's death.
At times Matthews appeared uncomfortable and even smiled on the stand, as he was asked questions regarding his last sexual encounter with Hill, just before she was murdered.
But as prosecutors painted Matthews as a compulsive liar with a bad temper, the defense told jurors there is too much reasonable doubt to convict him. They say investigators didn't thoroughly question other possible suspects in the case, including yard workers who were in Hill's neighborhood at the time of her death. The defense also says DNA evidence used doesn't prove Matthews murdered Hill. It just proves they were having sex prior to her death.
Hill's loved ones wore pink and purple to court Thursday because those were the teen's favorite colors. They described Hill as a girl with a delightful spirit, who was always happy and smiling. Her death left neighbors in her gated community in shock, but as details began to unfold and the autopsy was released, investigators began to zero in on Matthews as a possible suspect.
Matthews attended Dawson High School with Hill. Both students were 16 at the time. Authorities said Hill was pregnant with twins at the time of her death and a paternity analysis determined that Matthews was the father. Authorities also said the Matthews, a popular high school athlete, was not happy about the pregnancy and that he killed Hill one day after school.
One week after Hill's death, Matthews transferred to Pasadena Memorial High School.
Matthews was arrested at his new school and taken to the Brazoria County Juvenile Detention Center. His bail was set at $1.5 million.
The Galveston County Medical Examiner's Office listed the preliminary cause of Hill's death as manual strangulation and stab wounds. Because more than one person was killed, charges against Matthews were enhanced to capital murder.
Matthews faces life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years.