William Balfour was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the Chicago murders of singer Jennifer Hudson’s mother, brother and nephew four years ago.
William Balfour, who was married to Jennifer Hudson’s sister Julia, was found guilty in May of 3 counts of first-degree murder, as well as aggravated kidnapping, home invasion, residential burglary and possession of a stolen vehicle in the shooting deaths of members of the Jennifer Hudson sisters’ family.
Two months ago jury found William Balfour guilty on three counts of first-degree murder and four other counts related to the 2008 deaths of Jennifer Hudson’s mother – Darnell Donerson (57), her brother – Jason Hudson (29), and Hudson’s nephew, 7-year-old boy Julian King.
Killer of Jennifer Hudson relatives gets three life sentences without parole / William Balfour found quilty of murder Hudson’s family
William Balfour was accused of fatally shooting the singer’s mother and brother in their Chicago home in October 2008. The body of the 7 year-old nephew Julian King was found 3 days later in an abandoned vehicle.
Judge Charles Burns imposed 3 consecutive life sentences on William Balfour for the murders and 120 years for the underlying felonies of home invasion and aggravated kidnapping. Before Jennifer Hudson’s family killer, William Balfour sentencing, Balfour made a statement to the victims’ family: ‘ My condolences go out to the family. My deepest sympathies go to Julian King. I loved him. I still love him. ‘
Life term for Jennifer Hudson family’s killer, William Balfour
Prosecutors portrayed killer William Balfour as a jealous man who murdered the three in a rage at the thought that his wife had a boyfriend.
The crimes took place one year after Jennifer Hudson, who rose to fame as a contestant on ‘ American Idol ‘, won an Oscar for her role in the movie ‘ Dreamgirls. ‘
During the process, Jennifer Hudson was called as the prosecution’s first of more than 80 witnesses. She broke down in tears several times on the stand during talking about her family.
In the end of the process, Jennifer Hudson’s sister, Julia said : ‘ It is our prayer that the Lord will forgive Mr Balfour of these heinous acts and bring his heart into repentance someday. ‘
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