Prosecutors outline their case against Hudson brother-in-law

Prosecutors described in court Wednesday the evidence against Jennifer Hudson’s brother-in-law, who they say killed three members of the actress’ family out of jealousy.

William Balfour, 27, the estranged husband of Hudson’s sister Julia, stood quietly in court as prosecutors said that gunshot residue had been found on his car’s steering wheel and that he had lied about his movements on the morning of the murders.

Cook County Circuit Judge Raymond Myles ordered Balfour held without bail on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of home invasion in the Oct. 24 slayings.

Assistant State’s Atty. Lu Ann Snow told the judge that Balfour entered the Hudson family house in suburban Englewood at gunpoint and fatally shot Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, in the living room and her brother, Jason Hudson, 29, while he was still in bed. Her nephew, Julian King, 7, was shot to death the same day as he lay behind the front seat of Jason Hudson’s white Chevrolet Suburban, the prosecutor said. The boy’s body was discovered in the vehicle three days later.

Witnesses told police they had seen Balfour driving a white Suburban on the day of the killings, Snow said.

A few weeks before the slayings, the prosecutor said, Balfour went to his wife’s workplace and complained about her dating another man. Snow alleged that Balfour threatened to harm Julia Hudson’s family if she continued to see the other man.

Julia Hudson didn’t take the threat seriously because Balfour had threatened her family before but never followed through, Snow said.

On the morning of the killings, Balfour stopped at the family home and again warned Julia Hudson against having a relationship with another man, Snow said. Balfour left about 8:10 a.m., the same time that Julia Hudson left for work. The three victims were still asleep.

Snow said Balfour’s cellphone records indicate he was near the Hudson home until shortly after 9 a.m. Authorities believe the murders had taken place by then.

Prosecutors alleged that Balfour told a girlfriend that he killed Donerson and Jason Hudson and later lied to police about his travel that day.

Prosecutors said the murder weapon -- a .45-caliber handgun -- had been stolen from Jason Hudson by Balfour late last summer.