An Autauga County man convicted on 84 child sex crime charges will spend the rest of his life behind bars after a judge handed down one of the longest sentences in Alabama history.
Circuit Judge Amanda Baxley sentenced Jason Hudson to 965 years in prison, a ruling that prosecutors say was structured to prevent any possibility of parole, according to reporting from WSFA. Prosecutors originally sought nearly 1,500 years.
Hudson showed no emotion as the sentence was read, just as he did while the victim delivered a powerful impact statement.
The victim called Hudson a “monster,” “unworthy of respect,” and someone who “deserves the maximum sentence.”
They went on to say they have overcome more than they ever thought possible, have dedicated their life to Jesus, and are proud to say Hudson no longer has a hold on their life, the outlet reported.
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District Attorney C.J. Robinson said the case stands out in his 20 years on the job. He described evidence showing a child “being turned into a sex doll” and videos of children, including babies as young as 18 months old, being assaulted.
Hudson was initially charged with far fewer crimes, but investigators uncovered significantly more evidence after he accused law enforcement of planting child pornography on his device. That claim was disproven when state officials with updated forensic technology authenticated the evidence and discovered additional material, the station reported. Those extra findings contributed to the lengthy sentence.
The brutality of the case has prompted calls for Alabama to go even further. Robinson said he wishes the death penalty were an option for crimes of this nature. A proposal called the Child Predator Death Penalty Act has already been pre-filed in the upcoming legislative session.
If enacted, it would challenge a current U.S. Supreme Court decision prohibiting the death penalty in cases where no life is taken.
A comparable statute was approved in Florida last year, putting Alabama in line with another state challenging the federal precedent.
Hudson’s wife, Farren Jill Hudson, has already been sentenced to 30 years in prison on related charges. Hudson’s defense attorney reportedly plans to file an appeal
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
