PALM BAY, Fla. – A 17-year-old Palm Bay boy was arrested on a charge of manslaughter Wednesday morning, eight days after getting into a verbal and physical altercation with his father, according to an arret affidavit obtained by News 6 partner Florida Today.
Jason Hudson is charged in the death of his father, Michael Hudson. The teen was arrested Wednesday morning at his North East Dupont Street home, according to his arrest affidavit. Manslaughter indicates an unintentional killing.
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On March 1, Palm Bay Fire Rescue received a report of a man having fallen, the affidavit said. They discovered Michael Allan Hudson, 40, lying on the floor inside the home near the front door with blood coming from his head, nose and mouth. His girlfriend, who he lived with at the home, said he had slipped and fallen.
He died at a local hospital, the affidavit said.
At about 1:45 a.m. the next morning, a friend of Michael Hudson contacted Palm Bay police, saying the girlfriend told him Hudson’s injuries were a result of Jason Hudson battering him, the affidavit said. Several hours later, the girlfriend made a statement to police, admitting she lied and that Michael Hudson fell after his son punched him while they were arguing.
During an interview later that day, the girlfriend described what she witnessed, saying the father and son had been arguing in the front yard over a tent Jason would not put away in the back yard, the affidavit said. At Jason’s refusal to take down the tent, Michael told him he was going to “make a mess” in Jason’s room and throw his belongings outside.
The girlfriend said Michael headed toward the front door with Jason behind him, the affidavit said. When Michael reached the entrance to the home, Jason told him not to touch his belongings. Michael turned to face him and “immediately grabbed Jason around his neck with his hands,” though the girlfriend told police Michael did not apply pressure and released Jason almost immediately. Jason punched Michael, knocking him backward onto the floor. The girlfriend said Jason made a derogatory comment toward Michael and left in a van.
The girlfriend said Michael “went unconscious and began snoring,” the affidavit said. When she saw blood coming from his orifices, she contacted the fire department. She said she had not been truthful with the paramedics because she was afraid.
During a March 2 interview with Jason Hudson, Jason confirmed arguing with his father about the tent and Michael grabbing his throat. He said he attempted to pry Michael’s hands off but failed, and struck him in the face. He confirmed that Michael fell on the floor and he left, adding he didn’t see any injuries on Michael before he left.
A March 3 autopsy performed by the Brevard County medical examiner revealed that Michael Hudson suffered injuries consistent with being sustained from both the fall and punches, with the medical examiner concluding the cause of death was related to blunt force trauma and the manner of death was homicide, the affidavit said. The medical examiner also said the injuries indicated Michael had been struck several times.
During a follow-up interview March 3, Jason Hudson again told police he only remembered punching Michael once, though he later said he could have punched Michael more than once but could not remember, the affidavit said.
Michael’s girlfriend told police March 3 she saw Jason strike Michael about three times before he fell, the affidavit said. She said Jason punched him one more time after he had fallen.
Eric Wick, Jason’s attorney, could not be reached Thursday. It was not immediately known where Jason was being held.