A verdict has been reached in the trial of Jennifer Hudson’s ex brother-in-law.
According to E! Online, William Balfour was found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder in the October 2008 shooting deaths of Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, brother Jason Hudson, and 7-year-old nephew, Julian King.
Hudson was sitting silently with fiance David Otunga, sister Julia Hudson and other family members in the courtroom as the verdict was read into the record.
Prosecutors called 83 witnesses to make their case, while the defense rested after 30 minutes after calling only two people to the stand: both police officers who had previously testified for the prosecution.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office had argued that Balfour, Julia’s then-estranged husband, killed Donerson, Jason Hudson and Julian in a jealous, vengeful rage, first shooting Donerson and Jason in their home and kidnapping Julian. The child was found dead in Jason’s stolen SUV three days later.
Balfour did not testify. He celebrated his 31st birthday in jail this week.
In addition to the murder charges, he was also found guilty of home invasion, residential burglary, aggravated kidnapping and possesion of a stolen vehicle. He is facing life in prison.
