Luca Hudson: Annthoni Bliss Murder Trial

Annthoni Bliss faces a second-degree murder prosecution over the death of Luca Hudson, aged 23 months. He has pleaded not guilty. Magic 96.7 reported that the jury was seated October 19. Its October 26 report confirms jurors began hearing evidence that day. Trial is underway; this is confirmed by reporting, rather than an independently obtained operative docket. The October 19 report estimates six trial days. No verdict has been reported in the sources reviewed.

Luca was a toddler living in Keene. Emergency responders found him unconscious and not breathing on January 14, 2024; he died in hospital January 17. Authorities attributed the death to blunt head trauma and classified it as homicide. His older sibling is not identified here.

Bliss is the accused and was described in reporting as Luca’s mother’s boyfriend. Peter Hinckley is identified as the prosecutor in the jury-selection report; Monique Schmidt is identified as a public defender for Bliss. These roles do not resolve the allegations.

The State alleges abusive violence and a failure to obtain timely treatment. Charging materials contain accounts of the period before the emergency call and statements attributed to adults. Those allegations must be tested against the medical record, witness accounts and admissible exhibits.

The prosecution’s reported theory concerns inflicted injury and delayed assistance. The not-guilty plea contests criminal liability. In the October 26 opening, defense lawyer Robert Swales disputed the proof that anyone harmed Luca and challenged the prosecution’s assumptions, according to Magic 96.7. Opening statements are advocacy, not evidence.

October 26 — Trial begins: Magic 96.7 reports that jurors began hearing evidence. Its account describes the parties’ opening positions but does not provide a witness-by-witness testimony record. The earlier October 19 report anticipated medical experts, Luca’s mother, autopsy photographs and cellphone records. Anticipated evidence is not testimony already heard. Trial coverage will distinguish what a witness says from what an exhibit or ruling establishes.

The case is at the trial stage. No conviction, sentence or appeal is established by the reviewed sources. Bliss is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

What does the complete medical chronology establish about injury timing and treatment? Which digital records are admitted? How do the parties explain the injury mechanism? What instructions govern the particular charged theory? Answers will be tied to the record.

The source collection includes the State’s arrest and indictment announcements and hosted probable-cause materials. A press release is distinguished from an indictment or sworn affidavit. Record links below identify their purpose; additional filed documents will be indexed as obtained.

Responders attended a Keene apartment after a medical-distress call and found Luca unresponsive.

Luca died after hospitalization. Authorities subsequently announced the medical findings.

The New Hampshire Department of Justice announced Bliss’s arrest on a reckless second-degree murder allegation.

The State announced an indictment in Cheshire County.

Local reporting states jury selection was completed.

Jurors began hearing evidence. Prosecutors alleged physical abuse; the defense challenged whether the State could prove anyone harmed Luca. See the October 26 Magic 96.7 report in Sources.