Jennifer Hudson Family Murder Trial: William Balfour Guilty on All Counts (UPDATED)

By On 05/11/2012 · 19 Comments · In American Idol, Jennifer Hudson

Share on TumblrShare via email

The Jennifer Hudson family murder trial is over. William Balfour has been found guilty on all counts:

A jury has found William Balfour guilty of murdering actress Jennifer Hudson’s mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew in 2008.

Balfour, 31, was accused of killing the three in a jealous rage, believing that his estranged wife, Julia Hudson, Jennifer Hudson’s sister, was dating another man.

The jury found Balfour guilty of all counts against him after some 18 hours of deliberations over three days.

Balfour was charged with three counts of first-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty. With the convictions on all counts, he faces life in prison.

Jennifer Hudson, who entered the courtroom with her fiance and her sister, Julia Hudson, silently cried as the verdict read. Her fiance held her hand and rubbed her back.

Man, I cannot even begin to imagine what Jennifer has been through emotionally these past 3 1/2 years.  Balfour’s guilty verdict must be a huge relief to Jennifer and her sister. Stay strong, Jennifer!  Your courage is inspiring.

Read more about the trial at ABCNews.com

UPDATE: Official Statement from the Hudson Family:

“We have many people to thank but our first thank you is to God, always,” they said in a statement to EOnline. “We are so grateful to prosecutors James McKay, Jennifer Bagby and Veryl Gambino and State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez and her team for their dedication and tireless work from the beginning. We have the best police department, and they have been with us every step of the way. We thank all of the State’s witnesses who came forward on our behalf. We have felt the love and support from people all over the world and we’re very grateful.”

Tagged with:
 
  • Anonymous

    Good

  • http://twitter.com/whiskey401 Whiskey

    Good for that bastard. Now she can find some closure and move on with her life.

  • http://twitter.com/desireechick kesia monteith

    About time, I say! I feel so bad for Jennifer, but she is a strong woman, and she will keep her head high like always.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SYFK77IYLRQIVATQ2MJKSW2J7Y Pam

    Poor family.  I’m glad the trial is finally over for them.  This thug deserves the death penalty for what he did but that would be an easy way out.

    This sentence won’t bring their loved ones back but at least they finally got some justice today.

    Jennifer has shown real courage and bravery when you consider what the family has had to endure these past four years.  I really applaud her for it.  I pray that the family can find some sort of peace and closure from this terrible tragedy and that good will come from it.
     

  • Anonymous

    Good, I hope that douche bag rots for destroying a family.

  • http://www.etsy.com/shop/AdorablyHooked Gwen

    Thank goodness. I hope they can have a small amount of closure.

  • Chris

    The wheels of justice turn awfully slow, but at least its over.  Hopefully now she can get some peace.

  • Anonymous

    Amen.  Glad that they convicted him, for Jen and her sister.  

  • Anonymous

    In your face, murderous psycho sonofabitch.

    Glad Jennifer could get closure.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WIHKL34XDORTS2UZP4SWUUTG3U randi

    Glad this is finally over and that Jennifer can take comfort in knowing this man will never be able to hurt her or her family again. 

     

  • http://twitter.com/thePeachMango Peach Mango

    There’s so little about this whole situation to rejoice about, but I’m happy that Jennifer and the surviving members of her family are able to get some (small) measure of justice in seeing this guy convicted and hopefully put away for a very, very long time.  She’s amazing.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1403015987 Sharon Ulrich Davis

     Unfortunately we had an idiot for a Governor a few years ago and he abolished the death penalty in Illinois and even spared those who were on death row.  One of them was a man who killed his parents, two brothers, and his sister when he a teenager.  Politicians make me sick!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Li-Wright/100001622678180 Li Wright

    This is a bit of trivia about Balfour:  His father and brother are lifers in prison.  Who would want that in their family?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mauricio-Daniel-Arizmendi-Perez/100000110367379 Mauricio Daniel Arizmendi Pere

    Thank God this is over for Jennifer…I can not describe how I feel about this…finally justice…she’s such a strong woman, and I will keep her and her family in my prayers

  • Anonymous

    You know a year or so ago, I heard Jennifer tell Oprah that she really hadn’t started to grieve yet(paraphrasing). Maybe now she can. Can only imagine the emotional toil. 

  • chearts77

    They make me sick too.  This thug deserves the death penalty.  Now, your tax dollars are going to go towards helping this idiot live while he rots in prison.  

    I’m glad he was found guilty and that Jennifer can now find some kind of closure.  She’s such a strong woman.  Prayers for her and her family.

  • Tess

    Actually it costs more in tax dollars to execute someone then it does to incarcerate them for life when you consider that most death row inmates appeal their convictions. And I’m not whistling Dixie here….just check on-line for the hundreds of legitimate articles written on the subject.

    Besides, death is not the worst form of punishment.  I think people would be surprised at how hard life (deservedly so) is for people convicted and forced to life imprisonment.  I can’t even begin to imagine what life would be like locked in a cell for 23 hours with little or no human contact….I bet most mass murders die fairly young anyway.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NDYOWBIIPZU6PBRHGOPT2ZZJXQ sweetmm

    It does take a long time to hear a case in the states; does it take 4 years to gather evidence or book a hearing there?

  • pj

    That “idiot” governor of IL was trying to save face for his crimes, which he is now paying for. It wasn’t a political move, as his career is over and he is in prison.  I didn’t like Ryan, but that was probably the best thing he did in office.

    So many people are convicted unfairly.  This has been proven over and over.  

    I hope Jennifer and her family have closure.  I also hope the guy will suffer in prison.  He deserves that. And yes, Tess is right.  Capital punishment costs more than life in prison.