Judge declines to jail teenager accused of killing stepsister aboard cruise ship
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- A federal judge declined to jail 16-year-old Timothy Hudson, accused of killing and sexually assaulting his stepsister Anna Kepner aboard a Carnival cruise ship, allowing him to remain in family custody while awaiting trial.
- Hudson was initially charged as a juvenile but was indicted as an adult in April, raising the possibility of pretrial detention; however, the judge cited the difficulty for Hudson's family to visit if detained far from their home.
- Prosecutors argued Hudson poses a danger to the community and questioned the safety of minors living in his uncle’s home, while Hudson’s defense maintained he is neither a flight risk nor a danger, noting his compliance with release conditions.
- Anna Kepner’s death was ruled a homicide by mechanical asphyxiation; she was found bruised and concealed under a bed on the cruise ship, where she and Hudson shared a room.
- Hudson’s trial is expected to begin in September, with the victim’s family demanding justice for Anna Kepner.