Jennifer Hudson Family Murder Trial: Murder suspect William Balfour appears to cry in court

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

William Balfour is accused of killing three members of singer Jennifer Hudson's family

/ AP/Cook County Sheriff's Department/Getty Images

(CBS/AP) CHICAGO - William Balfour, on trial for the murder of Jennifer Hudson's family, appeared to cry Wednesday in court when prosecutors displayed graphic photographs of the youngest victim, Hudson's 7-year-old nephew.

It was the third day of testimony in the trial and the first time Hudson's brother-in-law, William Balfour, has appeared to show any emotion. Balfour dabbed his eyes with a tissue in view of the jury as pictures of the blood-soaked body of Julian King appeared on a large courtroom screen.

Balfour was estranged from his wife, Hudson's sister, at the time of the killings. Balfour, 30, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Hudson's mother, brother and nephew.

Hudson spent much of the morning outside the courtroom, as prosecutors showed the photographs of Julian. She entered the courtroom after the photos were shown. Prosecutors often give victims notice that they are about to enter disturbing evidence to give them a chance to leave.

The boy, nicknamed Juice Box, was soaked in blood and two bullet holes were visible on the top of his head.

Prosecutors claim Balfour targeted the family in an act of vindictiveness against his ex-wife, Julia Hudson, the mother of Julian. They believe he became enraged by balloons he saw at the home that he thought were from her new boyfriend.

Defense attorneys have said the killing could be connected to alleged drug dealing by Hudson's brother.

With no surviving witnesses to the murders, prosecutors must offer overwhelming circumstantial evidence that Balfour committed the grisly crime on Oct. 24, 2008.

Complete coverage of the Hudson family murders on Crimesider

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