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Judge Keeps Teen Free
A federal judge in Miami allowed Timothy Hudson, 16, charged with sexually assaulting and killing his 18-year-old stepsister Anna Kepner aboard a Carnival cruise ship, to remain free for now while the judge considers arguments after a Wednesday hearing.
NBC News reported that U.S. District Judge Edwin Torres said, "If it were a 20-year-old under the exact circumstances I probably would have detained," and Torres added, "This is a different animal."
The case stems from Kepner’s death on Nov. 7, 2025, aboard a Carnival cruise ship, with the Miami-Dade medical examiner ruling the death a homicide caused by "mechanical asphyxiation."
Prosecutors said Hudson is only allowed to leave his house with his uncle or aunt and will be electronically monitored by authorities, after he was initially arrested and charged as a juvenile and permitted to live with an uncle under electronic monitoring.
The Associated Press said the judge ended Wednesday’s hearing without making a final decision and wanted to speak with the U.S. Marshals Service about detaining Hudson in central Florida closer to his family rather than South Florida where the trial is taking place.
Prosecutors vs. Defense
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra Lopez argued that the court should not risk another violent attack, saying, "I believe there is clear and convincing evidence that this defendant is a danger to the community."
Lopez also questioned trust in Hudson’s future conduct, asking, "What is needed to prove a danger? A second dead body?"
Evan Kuhl, a public defender representing Hudson, countered that Hudson is not a danger to the public or a flight risk because he has abided by the conditions of his release for months without any incidents.
NBC News reported that Torres took into consideration that detaining Hudson in Miami-Dade County would make it difficult for his family, who live hundreds of miles away in Hernando County, to visit him.
The Associated Press said Hudson walked out of the courthouse after the hearing rather than being immediately taken into custody, and that he has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse.
Trial Timeline and Stakes
Hudson’s case has moved from juvenile handling to adult prosecution after a federal grand jury indicted him, and NBC News said his trial could begin in September.
“Teen charged with killing stepsister on Carnival Cruise remains free after hearing Teen charged with killing stepsister on Carnival Cruise remains free after hearing MIAMI (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday allowed a teenager charged with sexually assaulting and killing his 18-year-old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise ship to remain free for now as the judge considers arguments following a hearing in Miami”
The Associated Press reported that Hudson faces a possible life sentence if convicted of the adult charges, and that as a juvenile he would have been released at age 21 regardless of what counts he was found delinquent on.
Prosecutors described the alleged assault and killing as serious enough that they argued the court shouldn’t risk another violent attack, and the Associated Press said prosecutors also argued it likely took 3-5 minutes for Hudson to strangle Kepner until she was dead.
The Associated Press said 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."
NBC News added that Hudson is only allowed to leave his house with his uncle or aunt and will be electronically monitored while he awaits trial, as the judge weighs whether to detain him closer to home in Hernando County.
