Timothy Hudson, 16, is accused of killing and sexually assaulting Anna Kepner in November while the two were aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship. Hudson has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — A Brevard County teenager charged in the murder of his 18-year-old stepsister aboard a cruise ship has been released into the custody of his family ahead of a jury trial scheduled for later this year.
Timothy Hudson, 16, is accused of killing and sexually assaulting Anna Kepner in November while the two were aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship. Hudson has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following a court appearance on May 27, a federal judge ruled that Hudson could remain in the custody of his family rather than being detained pending trial. Hudson will continue living with his uncle under supervision.
Hudson was initially arrested and charged as a juvenile after Kepner’s death and had been released to his uncle’s care in February with electronic GPS monitoring.
According to court records, Anna Kepner died on Nov. 7 while aboard the Carnival Horizon. Her body was later discovered under a bed inside a cabin she shared with Hudson and another sibling. Kepner was a cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Titusville and was just months away from graduation at the time of her death.
After the case was transferred to adult court, prosecutors sought to have Hudson held in custody until trial, arguing he could attempt to flee and posed a danger to the community.
According to reports from the courtroom, the judge declined to immediately detain Hudson and instead requested that the U.S. Marshals Service compile a list of possible housing options near Hudson’s family that would provide the resources needed for his supervision.
Hudson was seen leaving court on Wednesday with family members and attorneys before entering a black SUV. He was not handcuffed.
According to court records, Anna Kepner died on Nov. 7 while aboard the Carnival Horizon. Her body was later discovered under a bed inside a cabin she shared with Hudson and another sibling. Kepner was a cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Titusville and was just months away from graduation at the time of her death.
When asked by reporters whether Hudson killed Kepner aboard the cruise ship, his defense attorney declined to comment on the pending case.
The attorney also declined to comment further on the judge’s ruling allowing Hudson to remain with family.
According to court records, Anna Kepner died on Nov. 7 while aboard the Carnival Horizon. Her body was later discovered under a bed inside a cabin she shared with Hudson and another sibling.
A medical examiner determined Kepner died from asphyxiation, according to court documents.
Kepner was a cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Titusville and was just months away from graduation at the time of her death.
