A jury in Chicago convicted Jennifer Hudson’s former brother-in-law of murdering her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.
Hudson was apparently overcome with emotion as the verdict was read. She bit her lip and had tears in her eyes before looking at her sister, Julia Hudson, and smiling.
The sisters left the courthouse without speaking to reporters but released a statement saying: “We have all suffered terrible loss in this tragedy. It is our prayer that the Lord will forgive Mr. Balfour of these heinous acts and bring his heart into repentance someday.”
William Balfour is facing a mandatory life sentence in jail. He showed no emotion after the verdict.
The jury had deliberated for three days before reaching their verdict against Balfour. The 31-year-old former gang member was the estranged husband of Julia Hudson at the time of the murders. He moved out after having a fight with his wife, but he stalked the home.
The killings happened the morning after Julia Hudson’s birthday. Balfour became enraged when he stopped by the home and saw a gift of balloons in the house from her new boyfriend. After she left for her job, Balfour went back inside the home and shot Hudson’s mother in the back. He then shot Hudson’s brother as he lay in his bed.
Balfour then drove off in an SUV with Hudson’s nephew and shot the boy.
