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Oct 27, 2008 · The medical examiner's office confirmed Hudson, 27, identified the bodies of her mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and 29-year-old brother, Jason Hudson. The deaths were ruled homicides.
Apr 9, 2012 · Jennifer Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, 57; brother, Jason Hudson, 29; and nephew, Julian King, 7, were killed in 2008 during a home invasion and kidnapping.
The medical examiner's office confirmed Hudson identified the bodies of her mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and 29-year-old brother, Jason Hudson. The deaths were ruled homicides. Hudson, 27,...
- October 24, 2008
Dec 1, 2019 · The former American Idol finalist added that her late loved ones — mother Darnell Donerson, brother Jason Hudson and nephew Julian King — would have wanted her to “press forward” and do “what...
- 1 min
- Erin Donnelly
- Julia's Estranged Husband Questioned
- Brother-In-Law Arrested
- 'I'm Going to Kill Your Family'
- Jury Selection
- The Trial
- 'We Didn't Like How He Treated Her'
- No DNA, But Gunshot Residue
- Guilty
- Sentencing
- Grateful For Support
William Balfour, the estranged husband of Julia Hudson, was taken into custody the day the first two bodies were found and held for 48 hours. He was then taken into custody by the Illinois Department of Corrections on a suspected parole violation. Balfour married Julia Hudson in 2006 but had been separated at the time of the shootings. He was throw...
Balfour was arrested at Stateville Correctional Center where he was being held on parole violationcharges. Prosecutors believed that the shootings at the Hudson family home were the result of an argument Balfour had with Julia about another man. Investigators learned that Balfour tried to get a former girlfriend, Brittany Acoff-Howard, to provide h...
According to court records, Balfour threatened to kill members of Hudson's family on at least two dozen occasions before the three murders in October 2008. Assistant State's Attorney James McKay said the threats began shortly after Balfour and his wife Julia Hudson broke up and he moved out of the family house. McKay said Balfour told Julia, "If yo...
After answering questionsabout their knowledge of singer and actress Jennifer Hudson, 12 jurors and six alternates were chosen for the trial. Potential jurors in the trial were given questionnaires which asked if they were familiar with Hudson's career, if they regularly watched "American Idol," and even if they were members of Weight Watchers, a w...
During opening statements, Balfour's defense attorney told jurors that police targeted him for the crime because they were under pressure to solve quickly what they knew would become a high-profile case, because of Jennifer Hudson's notoriety. Defense attorney Amy Thompson also told the jury that DNA found on the gun and fingerprints found in the S...
"None of us wanted her to marry him [Balfour]," Jennifer Hudson told the jury, "We did not like how he treated her." Jennifer Hudson's sister Julia testified that Balfour was so jealous that he would even become angry when her son Julian kissed his mother. He would tell the 7-year-old, "Get off my wife," she testified. Brittany Acoff Howard testifi...
Illinois State Police evidence analyst Robert Berk told jurors that gunshot residue was found on the steering wheel of Balfour's vehicle and the ceiling of the Suburban. His testimony followed that of another analyst, Pauline Gordon, who said no traces of Balfour's DNA were found on the murder weapon, but that did not mean he never handled the gun....
The jury deliberated 18 hours before finding Balfour guilty on three counts of murderand several other charges in connection with the October 24, 2008, deaths Darnell Donerson; Jason Hudson; and her 7-year-old nephew Julian King. After the verdict, jury members described the process they used during their almost 18 hours of deliberations. First, th...
Before he was sentenced, Balfour was allowed to make a statement. In it, he offered condolences to the Hudson family but maintained his innocence. "My deepest prayers go out to Julian King," Balfour said. "I loved him. I still love him. I'm innocent your honor." Under Illinois law, Balfour faced mandatory life without parole sentences for the multi...
Grammy and Academy Award-winning Hudson sobbed and leaned on her fiance's shoulder as the jury verdict was read. She attended every day of the 11-day trial. In a statement, Jennifer and her sister Julia offered their gratitude: They said they were praying "that the Lord will forgive Mr. Balfour of these heinous acts and bring his heart into repenta...
- Charles Montaldo
Apr 26, 2012 · Since the trial began Monday, Balfour’s attorneys have been trying to prove he was not present when Darnell Donerson, 57, Jason Hudson, 29, and Julian were fatally shot in October of 2008.
Chicago police are also investigating the deaths of the Oscar-winning actress' mother, Darnell Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, who were found shot dead at their South Side home. "We're...
