Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog
The criminal defense attorney of William Balfour, Jennifer Hudson’s estranged brother-in-law, says his client is not guilty of killing the Oscar winner’s mother, nephew, and brother. Balfour was formally charged this week with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Hudson’s mother Darnell Donerson, her brother Jason Hudson, and her nephew Julian King, as well as one count of home invasion. Balfour was separated from Hudson’s sister Julia, which makes King, 7, his stepson.
Balfour, who was being detained in a state prison for a possible parole violation was sent back to police custody upon his arrest for the killings. He had been questioned about the murders before, but was released without being charged until now.
His defense lawyer says that the amount of time that passed between when the murders happened in October and his client’s arrest this week indicates that the case against Balfour is weak. He is calling his 27-year-old client a “convenient” suspect. Balfour’s mother also maintains her son’s innocence and says police relied on a statement made by a girlfriend who is facing a drug charge.
Police, however, say that no deals were made with witnesses and there is enough evidence to convict Balfour for the Hudson family murders. They claim that not only do they have physical evidence, including the murder weapon, but they also have testimony that could convict the 27-year-old.
Police believe the three murderers were domestic violence-related and that Julia Hudson and William Balfour had been quarreling when the killings happened. Donerson and Hudson were found shot to death at the family’s home. King’s body was found four days later in a sport utility vehicle.
Balfour’s bond hearing is scheduled for today.
Charges filed against William Balfour in Hudson family slayings, Chicago Sun-Times, December 2, 2008
Police confident Hudson family murders solved, Reuters, December 2, 2008
Lawyer: William Balfour Innocent of Jennifer Hudson Family Murders, People, December 2, 2008
Related Web Resources:
Jennifer Hudson Biography, IMDB
Jennifer Hudson’s mother, brother murdered in Chicago, Daily News, October 25, 2008
If you have been charged with a domestic violence-related homicide in Massachusetts, our Boston criminal defense lawyers would like to talk to you about your case. Contact Altman & Altman LLP today and ask for your free consultation.
