MIAMI (AP) — A pivotal decision is anticipated from a federal judge regarding the fate of a teenager accused of sexually assaulting and murdering his 18-year-old stepsister aboard a Carnival Cruise ship. The hearing is slated for Wednesday morning in Miami, where it will be determined if the teen will remain free while awaiting trial.
In February, U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres permitted 16-year-old Timothy Hudson, initially charged as a juvenile, to reside with an uncle under electronic monitoring. However, following the case’s escalation to adult court, prosecutors have urged that Hudson be detained for the duration of the legal proceedings.
Hudson has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse. Cases involving minors in federal court are uncommon, and Hudson’s federal public defenders have chosen not to comment on the allegations.
The tragic incident involved Hudson’s stepsister, Anna Kepner, who was on the Carnival Horizon cruise in November with her family, including Hudson. As the ship was nearing its return to Florida, Kepner’s body was discovered hidden beneath a bed in a cabin she shared with Hudson and another teenager, according to a criminal complaint.
The medical examination concluded that Kepner died from mechanical asphyxia, indicating her breathing was obstructed by an object or physical pressure.
Kepner’s father, Christopher Kepner, previously released a statement, saying the family was placing “trust in the justice system to pursue the truth with care and integrity.”
“The situation is deeply painful and complex for the entire family,” Kepner said.
Anna Kepner was a high school cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) east of Orlando. At her memorial service in November, family members encouraged people to wear bright colors instead of the traditional black “in honor of Anna’s bright and beautiful soul.”