Anna Kepner’s Stepbrother Granted Trial Delay as Defense Cites Difficult Family Dynamic

The murder trial of Timothy Hudson, the 16-year-old accused of sexually assaulting and killing his stepsister Anna Kepner aboard a Carnival cruise ship, has been postponed until Nov. 2, 2026.

Hudson is being prosecuted as an adult and has pleaded not guilty to both charges. His trial had originally been scheduled to begin Sept. 8.

Defense attorneys requested the continuance because they said they had been unable to obtain sufficient access to certain relatives needed for their investigation. The lead prosecutor for the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Florida did not oppose the request.

Judge Beth Bloom approved the motion and moved the plea-agreement deadline to Oct. 23.

Defense cites limited access to family members

In their motion, Hudson’s lawyers said they lacked “the type of access to certain family members that would facilitate their investigation.”

The relatives were not identified. According to the defense, their lack of cooperation stems from the “unique – and very unfortunate – family dynamic that has resulted from the allegations.”

Attorneys argued that delaying the trial until November would give them enough time to speak with relatives they have not yet been able to interview.

The family information could become particularly important if Hudson is convicted because of his age and the sentence he could face.

Why a Miller hearing may be required

Murder typically carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Because Hudson is a minor, however, the court would be required to hold a Miller hearing before imposing such a sentence.

These hearings are granted to juvenile defendants facing possible life imprisonment without parole. The defense may present mitigating evidence concerning the defendant’s maturity, upbringing and family circumstances.

The court can also consider the juvenile’s alleged role in the offense and potential for rehabilitation.

Hudson’s attorneys said their difficulty reaching certain family members has delayed this part of their investigation.

Trial will be held in Miami

The two-week trial is scheduled to take place in Miami, where the Carnival Horizon arrived after Anna was killed while the ship was traveling through international waters.

Anna, 18, and Hudson were on their first blended-family cruise following the marriage of Hudson’s mother, Shauntel Hudson, to Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner.

Court filings state that Anna was last seen returning to the stateroom she shared with Hudson and her 14-year-old half-brother on the night of Nov. 6, 2025.

She was discovered dead beneath her bed shortly before noon the following day.

The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office later determined that Anna died from mechanical asphyxiation and classified her death as a homicide.

Prosecutors allege that Hudson sexually assaulted Anna before killing her aboard the ship.

Pretrial release revoked after adult indictment

Hudson was initially indicted as a juvenile on murder and sexual assault charges. He was released into the custody of a relative while awaiting further proceedings.

That release was later revoked after a grand jury indicted him as an adult.

Hudson remains charged with murder and sexual assault and has entered not-guilty pleas to both counts. His rescheduled trial is now set to begin Nov. 2.