CHICAGO (AP) — A Chicago jury has convicted Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson’s former brother-in-law of murdering her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew in what prosecutors described as an act of vengeance by a jilted husband.
The jury convicted 31-year-old William Balfour on three-counts of first degree murder on Friday, after three days of deliberations. He faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
Hudson eyes filled with tears and she shook her head at bit her lip as the verdict was read.
Prosecutors had to build an overwhelming circumstantial case tying Balfour to the killings because there were no surviving witnesses. Defense attorneys claimed the killings could have been related to Hudson’s brother’s alleged drug dealing.
Hudson was the first witness called to the stand and she attended every day of testimony.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
Jurors have reached a verdict in the trial of the man charged with murdering three of Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson’s family members, Chicago court officials announced Friday afternoon.
The verdict is scheduled to be read at 4:30 p.m. CDT. Jurors deliberated for three days in the case of Hudson’s former brother-in-law, William Balfour. He’s charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the October 2008 shooting deaths of Hudson’s mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.
Hudson was the first witness called and has attended every day of testimony in the trial. She is expected to be on hand when the verdict is read.
Balfour would face a mandatory life prison sentence if convicted on all counts.
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