CHICAGO — A Chicago jury on Friday 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.
Hudson was visibly overcome with emotion as the verdict was read. Her eyes filled with tears, and she shook her head and bit her lip. Afterward, she looked over at her sister, Julia, and smiled.
William Balfour, who faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison, showed no emotion. Public defender Amy Thompson said she would appeal the verdict.
Jurors deliberated for three days before reaching their verdict against Balfour, a 31-year-old former gang member who was the estranged husband of Julia Hudson at the time of the triple murders.
With no surviving witnesses to the Oct. 24, 2008, slayings or fingerprints, prosecutors built a circumstantial case by calling 83 witnesses over 11 days of testimony. Witnesses said Balfour threatened to kill the entire family if Julia Hudson spurned him.
Jennifer Hudson, who was in Florida at the time of the slayings, attended every day of testimony. She was the first witness prosecutors called to testify.
