Today the murder trial begins for the man accused of the killings of Jennifer Hudson’s family in 2008.. William Balfour is accused of fatally shooting Jennifer Hudson’s mother Darnell Donerson (57), brother Jason Hudson (29), and nephew Julian King (7) on October 24, 2008.
The shooter is believed to have gone into a jealous rage after a gift of balloons was believed to be sent to Julia Hudson, Balfour’s ex and Jennifer’s sister, by her new boyfriend.
Prosecutors say around 9a.m. Balfour went inside the the three-story family home that Jennifer Hudson grew up in and shot Hudson’s mother, Darnell, in the living room and then went into a bedroom where he shot Hudson’s brother, Jason, two times in the head while he laid in the bed.
Balfour then allegedly drove off in Jason’s SUV with Julia’s son, Julian King, nicknamed Juice Box, inside the vehicle. The young boy’s body was later found in the abandoned SUV with a single gunshot wound to the head.
There are no known witnesses for the crime but over 300 people could potentially testify, including Jennifer Hudson.
William Balfour
Balfour is a high school drop out and former gang member nicknamed “Flex.” He is reported to have told Julia Hudson, “If you ever leave me, I’m going to kill you, but I’m going to kill your family first.” Julia’s divorce from Balfour was finalized last year.
If convicted, Balfour would face a mandatory life sentence. At the time of the killings he was on parole after serving seven years in prison for attempted murder and vehicular hijacking.
UPDATE: After opening statements, Jennifer Hudson was the first person to testify in the trial of William Balfour.
