William Balfour was found guilty of killing famous singer and Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson’s brother, nephew and mother.
The decision Friday came after the jury of six women and six men deliberated for two days.
Balfour was convicted of first-degree murder in the deaths of Darnell Donerson, Jason Hudson and Julian King, according to TMZ, and now faces life in prison.
The trial that began April 23.
Authorities said the 27-year-old gunned down Hudson’s 57-year-old mother, and her 29-year-old brother and 7-year-old nephew in 2008 during a jealous rage sparked by a birthday gift given to ex-wife Julia Hudson.
During the trial, prosecutors insisted that Balfour became enraged when he saw balloons at Julia Hudson’s home for her birthday and believed that it was a gift from her new boyfriend.
They said he entered the family’s Chicago home a day later wielding a .45-caliber handgun that he used in the shooting. Prosecutors also said that he drove off in Jason’s car with Julian inside and fatally shot him in the head. Julian’s body was found days later by police.
Defense argued that DNA found on the gun and fingerprints found in the SUV didn’t match Balfour’s, that there are no known witnesses and circumstantial physical evidence, and that the killer might have been an enemy of Jason Hudson who they claimed was a drug dealer.
During the trial, the singer took the stand and gave a 30-minute testimony in which she revealed to jurors, “None of us wanted her to marry him,” and that the family didn’t like how he treated her.
Julia Hudson, Balfour’s ex-wife — the two parted in 2008 — also testified during the trial and revealed his jealous ways. She also said that her ex-husband threatened to kill her and her family multiple times.
With Associated Press
