Anna Kepner’s Stepbrother’s Murder Trial Keeps Getting Delayed: Why?

One unresolved issue is standing between Timothy Hudson and a decision that could determine whether he ever faces a jury in the alleged murder and sexual assault of his stepsister, Anna Kepner.

The 16-year-old’s federal murder trial has been postponed for a third time, with his attorneys revealing in an October 13 court filing that they are still weighing whether he should plead guilty or fight the charges at trial.

Hudson, identified in court documents as T.H., is accused of sexually assaulting and killing 18-year-old Kepner aboard the Carnival Horizon during a family vacation in November 2025. Tragically, her body was discovered hidden beneath a bed in the cabin they shared with her younger brother. Authorities determined she died from mechanical asphyxiation.

The teenager has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse and is being prosecuted as an adult in Miami federal court. He faces a possible life sentence if convicted.

In their latest filing, Hudson’s public defenders acknowledged making progress in their investigation but said one matter remains unresolved before they can advise him whether to enter a plea or proceed to trial. Unfortunately, they did not explain what that issue involves, leaving unanswered whether it concerns evidence, legal strategy, discussions with prosecutors or something else entirely.

Los Angeles spoke with Florida-based criminal defense attorney Mark Eiglarsh, who explained that these delays in criminal proceedings are not necessarily unusual and can sometimes benefit the defense.

“Generally, criminal cases tend to get better for the defense with age, like fine wine,” Eiglarsh said. “For that reason, it’s not uncommon for defense lawyers to seek as many continuances as possible before deciding whether to accept a plea or proceed to trial.”

The high-profile attorney, who currently reps former NFL star Antonio Brown, said the additional time could also indicate that attorneys are working toward a possible resolution without a trial.

“The delay may simply reflect ongoing negotiations between the defense and the government to reach a reasonable plea agreement,” he said. “These negotiations often take time and may require input and approval from supervisors and other decision-makers.”

But Eiglarsh suggested another possibility: The defense may be using the extra time to gather information that could help explain the alleged crime or persuade prosecutors and the court to consider a more lenient outcome.

“This case isn’t a ‘who done it?’ It’s a ‘why did he do it?’” Eiglarsh said. “The delay may simply reflect the defense’s ongoing efforts to develop additional mitigation to present to the government and/or the judge.”

The filing comes just weeks after Los Angeles reported that Hudson’s attorneys cited a “very unfortunate” family dynamic as they sought additional time to investigate the case. The defense has not said whether that earlier concern is connected to the latest delay.

Federal prosecutors did not oppose the request.

On October 14, U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom granted the postponement, moving the trial from November to a two-week period beginning January 25, 2027.

The judge also set January 15 as the deadline for submitting a guilty plea, followed by a January 19 court appearance ahead of trial. Hudson has remained in federal custody since June, when a magistrate judge revoked his release after prosecutors presented arguments about the seriousness of the allegations and the evidence against him.

For now, the defense has offered no indication that Hudson has agreed to plead guilty. But its latest filing confirms that the possibility is being considered as the case moves toward another trial date.

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