Teen accused of Carnival Cruise Ship murder remains free as of now

Added: 2026-06-03

[00:00:00]Tonight, a teenager accused of killing his stepsister on a cruise ship was able to walk out of court after a judge declined to jail him pending his trial, at least for now. CBS News Miami's Manuel Bojorquez is live at the federal courthouse in downtown Miami with more on what happened today in court, Manny.

[00:00:20]Well, Jim and Lauren, prosecutors argued that due to the seriousness of the charges, which include first-degree murder, that in their view Timothy Hudson could be a danger to others and should be held in custody. But the judge said that at least for now, he can remain with relatives under electronic surveillance.

[00:00:38]16-year-old Timothy Hudson walked out of court to questions. Timothy, do you have anything you want to say?

[00:00:45]And a throng of media, a sign of the national attention the case has generated. Would that make you any further comment?

[00:00:51]He looked remarkably different from his last appearance in February, when he was set to be tried as a juvenile. Since then, a judge ruled he will be tried as an adult. The reason CBS News Miami is now showing his face. Hudson is accused of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the killing of his 18-year-old stepsister Anna Ketner.

[00:01:11]Prosecutors say it happened aboard a Carnival cruise ship November of last year, and that Ketner's body was found under a bed in a cabin she shared with the teen. Her cause of death, mechanical asphyxiation. Today, prosecutors alleged in court that Hudson's DNA was found on Ketner, and that he threw her phone away on the ship. His attorney did not answer questions. Okay, we're done. Thank you.

[00:01:37]And Hudson has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The judge said today he would like to consider options for juvenile detention in Hernando County, where Hudson's family lives, before making a final ruling. We're live in downtown Miami, Manuel Bojorquez, CBS News Miami.