The baby-faced teen accused of sexually assaulting and killing stepsister Anna Kepner on a family cruise revealed his face in public for the first time as he entered a federal courthouse on Wednesday.
A federal judge is set to decide whether Timothy Hudson, 16, can remain free on supervised release or must be locked up ahead of trial.
Hudson kept a straight face as he sauntered into federal court in Miami with his hands in his pockets and wearing a gray, button-down shirt untucked.
He has been out of jail and staying with his paternal uncle since he was charged with Kepner’s murder in February — but prosecutors and Kepner’s outraged father have argued that he should be detained since his case was transferred to adult court.
Hudson has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is scheduled to begin in September, Fox 35 Orlando reported.
Kepner, a bubbly, 18-year-old high school cheerleader, was found dead wrapped in a blanket under her bed while on a Caribbean Carnival Cruise with family members in November in a cabin where she and Hudson had been rooming together on the six-day excursion.
Officials determined that Kepner was strangled and had been sexually assaulted.
Here is the latest on Anna Kepner, cheerleader found dead on Carnival Cruise:
Hudson — who was reportedly “obsessed” with Kepner and was once caught trying to sexually assault her — was first charged as a juvenile before his case was moved to adult court, where a grand jury indicted him.
A judge allowed his release but ruled he must wear a GPS ankle monitor while he stays with his uncle.
He’s charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse and faces life in prison if convicted.
Hudson “committed these crimes against a victim with whom he had no apparent relational strife, and whom he was being raised to view as a sibling,” Assistant US Attorney Alejandra López said in a court filing.
“Furthermore, he carried out these crimes without any warning he could commit such atrocious acts, and despite an apparent supportive family environment.”
