A federal judge is expected to decide whether a teenager charged with sexually assaulting and killing his 18-year-old stepsister on a Carnival cruise ship will remain in custody while awaiting trial.

The teen stepbrother has been charged in connection with the death of Anna Kepner aboard the Carnival cruise vessel. The case has drawn attention as prosecutors are pushing for the defendant to be detained pending trial.

The hearing represents a critical juncture in the federal case, as the judge weighs arguments from both prosecutors and defense attorneys regarding the teenager's release status. Federal prosecutors have indicated their position that the defendant should remain in custody.

The incident occurred aboard a Carnival cruise ship, bringing the case under federal maritime jurisdiction. Details about the specific circumstances of Kepner's death have not been fully disclosed in court proceedings.

The case highlights ongoing legal questions about juvenile defendants in serious federal crimes and the factors courts consider when determining pretrial detention for underage suspects in violent crime cases.