Verdict for Jennifer Hudson’s Family Murders
The verdict is in for William Balfour, the man on trial for murdering Jennifer Hudson‘s mother, brother, and nephew. Balfour has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Balfour was convicted earlier this year for the first-degree murders of Hudson’s mother Darnell Donerson, 57, her brother Jason Hudson, 29, and her nephew Julian King, 7.
The slayings occurred in 2008, but it wasn’t until today that a Chicago judge imposed three life sentences on Balfour. The Academy Award winning actress and singer was present during the sentencing.
Gregory King, the father of Hudson’s nephew, gave this victim statement: ”I miss picking Julian up from the school bus. I miss going on field trips with him … I miss him spending the night with me and my other children.”
Balfour offered his condolences while still maintaining his innocence: ”My deepest prayers goes out to Julian King. I loved him. I still love him. I’m innocent, your honor.”
Prosecutors portrayed Balfour as an estranged husband of Hudson’s sister, Julia. Reports say that Balfour stalked Julia after their separation in 2008, and when he found out that she was seeing another man, he shot the three family members in a jealous rage.
Before the sentencing today, Cook County Judge Charles Burns had denied a new trial for Balfour.
