Trial Delayed Again for Teen Accused of Killing Stepsister Anna Kepner on Cruise Ship as Defense Considers Possible Guilty Plea

The federal murder trial of a 16-year-old Florida teenager accused of sexually assaulting and killing his 18-year-old stepsister aboard a Caribbean cruise ship has been postponed once again, as his defense attorney says one unresolved issue must be addressed before a final decision can be made about whether he will plead guilty or proceed to trial.

Timothy Hudson is charged as an adult with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse in connection with the death of Anna Kepner, whose body was discovered aboard the Carnival Horizon in November 2025. The case has drawn widespread attention because of the young age of the accused, the circumstances surrounding Kepner’s death and the fact that the alleged crime occurred during a family vacation at sea.

According to court filings cited by People, Hudson’s attorney, Assistant Federal Public Defender Eric M. Cohen, requested another postponement after explaining that the defense still needed to resolve an outstanding matter before advising Hudson on how to proceed. The attorney did not disclose the precise nature of the issue.

“One pending issue still needs to be addressed before a final decision can be made concerning whether [Hudson] should plead or proceed to trial,” the defense attorney wrote in the court filing, according to reports.

The request was not opposed by federal prosecutors. U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom subsequently moved the trial to a two-week period beginning January 25, 2027. The court also established January 15, 2027, as the deadline for Hudson to enter a guilty plea.

The latest postponement marks another delay in a case that has already experienced several changes to its trial schedule. Hudson had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Although his attorneys are now considering the options available to him, no guilty plea has been announced, and the possibility of a plea agreement does not mean that one has been finalized.

The Tragic Death of Anna Kepner

Kepner was an 18-year-old high school senior from Titusville, Florida, who had been traveling with members of her blended family aboard the Carnival Horizon during a Caribbean cruise in November 2025.

Her body was discovered on November 6, 2025, inside the cabin she shared with Hudson and her younger biological brother. Reports indicated that her body was found concealed beneath a bed.

Investigators determined that Kepner died from mechanical asphyxiation. Prosecutors have alleged that she was sexually assaulted before her death, forming the basis of the aggravated sexual abuse and murder charges against Hudson.

The circumstances surrounding her final hours have remained central to the investigation and subsequent court proceedings. Her death devastated her family, who have continued to seek answers about what happened aboard the ship.

Kepner was remembered by loved ones as a vibrant young woman with ambitions for her future. Reports have described her aspirations to join the U.S. Navy and eventually work as a K9 officer.

Why the Defense Is Seeking More Time

The defense has not publicly identified the specific issue that must be resolved before Hudson can decide whether to plead guilty or face a jury. As a result, it remains unclear whether the matter involves evidence, legal strategy, negotiations with prosecutors or another aspect of the case.

Earlier requests for postponements reportedly cited the complexity of the investigation, Hudson’s age and difficult family circumstances that complicated the defense team’s efforts to investigate certain matters.

The latest filing indicates that the defense believes more time is necessary before it can provide final advice to its client. Given the seriousness of the charges and the potential consequences of a conviction, the decision about whether to enter a plea or proceed to trial carries significant legal implications.

Federal prosecutors did not oppose the most recent request, and the judge approved the new schedule.

What Happens Next?

Hudson remains accused of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse, and he has previously entered a not-guilty plea. The new schedule gives his attorneys additional time to address the unresolved issue and determine whether a plea agreement is possible.

If Hudson enters a guilty plea, the case could proceed without a full jury trial, although further court proceedings would still be necessary. If he maintains his not-guilty plea and the case does not otherwise resolve, the trial is scheduled to begin during the two-week period starting January 25, 2027.

For Kepner’s family, the repeated delays mean a longer wait for the case to reach its next major stage. Her death has left lasting grief among those who knew her, while the legal proceedings continue to determine the facts and establish responsibility under the law.

For now, the defense has not confirmed whether Hudson intends to plead guilty. The identity of the unresolved issue also remains undisclosed. Until the court receives a formal plea or the case proceeds to trial, the allegations remain unproven, and Hudson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Source: People Magazine