Stepbrother accused of murdering Anna Kepner on family cruise sees trial delayed again
The trial for the baby-faced teen charged with murdering his cheerleader stepsister Anna Kepner has been delayed for a second time.Timothy Hudson, 16, will now go on trial over last November’s Carnival Horizon cruise ship killing on Nov.
2 after a Florida judge granted a request for a delay, which was made by his lawyers, on Tuesday, WOFL reported.Hudson was supposed to go on trial on June 1 before the date was moved to Sept.8. Hector Dopico, an assistant federal public defender, called for the delay so the defense could “complete their investigation of issues that will likely impact the resolution of his case,” according to court documents seen by the outlet.“Although defense counsel have spent a significant amount of time reviewing the discovery provided by the government and researching various issues of potential relevance, their preparations are not yet complete,” he said in the filing.The “seriousness of the offenses alleged” and Hudson’s “status as a juvenile” were two factors that influenced the delay motion, according to the court documents.Hudson is being tried as an adult on murder and aggravated sexual abuse charges – and faces up to life in prison if convicted for allegedly killing Kepner.
He has until Oct.23 to plead guilty to the charges.Dopico also said the defense needed more time because of “the unique – and very unfortunate – family dynamic that has resulted from the allegations here.”Prosecutors didn’t oppose the defense’s request and Hudson’s trial was pushed back.The trial now looks set to get underway almost a year after Hudson allegedly sexually assaulted and killed Kepner on the ship. Kepner, 18, was strangled to death inside a cabin she shared with Hudson and her 13-year-old brother.Kepner was alone with her stepbrother, who is said to have had an obsession with her, between 7:51 p.m.
and 11:21 p.m.on Nov.
6 – the day before her body was found.Her Apple Watch, which monitored her heart rate, stopp...