William Balfour

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3 Life Sentences for Killer in Jennifer Hudson Case

William Balfour shot her mom, sister, and nephew

(Newser) - "You have the heart of an arctic night. Your soul is as barren as dark space." And with that, the judge in the murder case involving three members of Jennifer Hudson's family sentenced killer William Balfour to three life sentences, reports AP . Balfour shot to death the...

Guilty Verdicts in Slayings of Jennifer Hudson's Family

William Balfour convicted of three murders

(Newser) - The man accused of killing Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother, and young nephew has been found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder, reports AP . William Balfour shot to death Darnell Donerson, 57, Jason Hudson, 29, and Julian King, 7, in what prosecutors say was a jealous rage in 2008....

Judge Releases Frantic 911 Call in Hudson Murder Trial

And Balfour mistress says he confessed

(Newser) - “Somebody killed my mother. Please help me,” said Jennifer Hudson's sister, Julia, in a chilling phone call to emergency services. “My momma. My momma.” Jurors in the triple-murder trial of Hudson's mother, sister, and nephew have already heard the 911 recording, but today the...

Jennifer Hudson Weeps on Witness Stand

William Balfour murder trial starts with emotional testimony

(Newser) - Jennifer Hudson broke down and wept on the witness stand today as she testified in the trial of William Balfour , the man accused of murdering Hudson's mother, brother, and nephew, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Hudson said she told her sister Julia "over and over again not to marry...

Jennifer Hudson Didn't Want Sister to Marry Alleged Killer

New details surface in murders of singer's family

(Newser) - Jennifer Hudson didn't approve of the relationship between her sister Julia and William Balfour, the man accused of killing Hudson's mother, brother, and nephew in 2008, according to newly filed court documents. Hudson grew up near Balfour and the two attended the same elementary school. She told detectives...

Did a Gift Spark the Hudson Family Killings?

Hudson murders triggered by jealousy, police say

(Newser) - Police believe a stray birthday gift set off the massacre of Jennifer Hudson’s family, People reports. Hudson’s sister Julia held a party the day before the murders to celebrate her 31st birthday. When estranged husband William Balfour showed up, he spotted a gift that he believed came from...

Balfour's Troubles Go Way Back

Hudson murder suspect had abusive mother, imprisoned father

(Newser) - William Balfour grappled with depression and rage for years before his arrest in the Jennifer Hudson family killings, the Chicago Tribune reports. The son of a convicted killer, Balfour lived in and out of correctional facilities, suffering physical abuse at home and smoking dope to quell his anger. After serving...

Jealousy Blamed in Hudson Murders

Suspect upset that estranged wife dating: prosecutors

(Newser) - Prosecutors have pinned a motive on Jennifer Hudson's brother-in-law, alleging today that he killed her family members out of anger that his estranged wife was dating someone else, reports the AP. William Balfour—who has been charged with the murders of Hudson's mother, brother, and nephew—confronted Julia Hudson at...

Hudson In-Law Arrested in Family Murders

Sister's husband to be charged with slaying 3, including 7-year-old

(Newser) - The estranged husband of Jennifer Hudson’s sister has been arrested and will be charged with the murders of the Oscar winner's mother, brother, and 7-year-old nephew, the Chicago Tribune reports. William Balfour was in state custody on a parole violation until today, when the Chicago police served an arrest...

Sad Farewell for Hudson Family
 Sad Farewell for Hudson Family 

Sad Farewell for Hudson Family

Classmates recall 7-year-old 'whiz kid' Julian

(Newser) - Actress Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell, brother Jason and 7-year-old nephew, Julian, were remembered by family and friends in an emotional public memorial service at their Chicago Baptist church yesterday, a week after the three were murdered. The most poignant moments came as Julian's second-grade teacher read comments from his classmates,...

Test Confirms Hudson Murder Weapon
Test Confirms Hudson Murder Weapon

Test Confirms Hudson Murder Weapon

Handgun was reported stolen by owner in Michigan

(Newser) - Police have confirmed that a gun found in a vacant lot was used to kill Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Investigators are now working to tie the .45 caliber handgun and other evidence to suspect William Balfour and to trace how the gun, reported stolen...

Cops Find Gun Linked to Hudson Murders

Discovery could be major break in case

(Newser) - A .45 caliber handgun, which could be the murder weapon used to kill Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew, has been found by police, reports the Chicago Tribune. The gun was discovered in an alley close to the spot where the body of 7-year-old Julian King was discovered in the...

Cops: Hudson Slay Suspect Had Help

Car movements indicate involvement of other drivers

(Newser) - If William Balfour killed Jennifer Hudson’s family as police suspect, he probably had help, law-enforcement sources tell the Chicago Tribune. Witnesses place Balfour on the Hudsons’ block at 7am, driving his teal Chrysler. But the car later turned up a mile away at Robeson High School. Security cameras show...

Family Clash May Have Spurred Hudson Killings

Jen's clan had kicked out sister's estranged husband

(Newser) - The estranged husband of Julia Hudson, Jennifer’s sister, is the top suspect in the murder of their three relatives—and police say disputes between the couple may have motivated the crimes, the Chicago Tribune reports. The Hudsons’ mother had thrown William Balfour, 27, out of her house in the...

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