C N N Breaking News Video: Jennifer Hudson's Former Brother-in-Law Found Guilty of Murder (595 hits)
Chicago (CNN) -- A Chicago jury found William Balfour, Jennifer Hudson's former brother-in-law, guilty Friday on three counts of first-degree murder and four other counts related to the 2008 slayings of the entertainer's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew. Balfour faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. He will be sentenced to life without parole; Illinois has no death penalty.
Hudson, who was in the courtroom with her sister Julia and fiance, David Otunga, broke down in tears as she heard the verdict. Otunga said, "Yes," and put his arm around her.
Hours later, the two Hudson sisters released a statement thanking God, the prosecution team, "the best police department" and "people all over the world" for their support. "It is our prayer that the Lord will forgive Mr. Balfour of these heinous acts and bring his heart into repentance someday," the sisters said in the statement, which was posted to Jennifer Hudson's website and linked to via Twitter.
In addition to murder, Balfour was found guilty of aggravated kidnapping, home invasion, residential burglary and possession of a stolen vehicle. A public defender for Balfour said his legal team would file a motion for a new trial on June 8 and then file a notice of appeal.
