William Balfour gets 3 life sentences in Jennifer Hudson family murders

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

William Balfour was convicted of killing three members of singer Jennifer Hudson's family

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

(CBS/AP) CHICAGO - The man convicted of murdering the mother, brother and nephew of Jennifer Hudson will spend the rest of his life in prison.

PICTURES: Jennifer Hudson

A Cook County judge on Tuesday gave William Balfour three life sentences. Balfour was convicted earlier this year of first-degree murder in the 2008 killings. The actress and singer was in the Chicago courtroom for the sentencing.

The sentencing came after Circuit Judge Charles Burns denied a request from Balfour for a new trial.

Balfour faced a mandatory life sentence. Illinois does not have the death penalty.

Balfour was married to Hudson's sister, Julia. Prosecutors contend he shot the family members in a jealous rage because she was dating another man.

Complete coverage of the Hudson family murders on Crimesider

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by nohater July 25, 2012 3:56 AM EDT: don't understand why people are against the death penalty and timely executions. this man does not deserve to live, not even in prison. he will be well fed, receive medical care, have various things available for his entertainment and perhaps even have a lover, of some kind, for the rest of his life. if it were my decision, he would executed within a year. fortunately for this man, he is more important than the victims so he will be allowed to live out his life while his victims turn to dust. who protects these murderers, the bleeding hearts, the liberals, the religious types? he deserves execution.; Reply to this comment


by cattiej July 24, 2012 10:20 PM EDT: Quinn was wrong to stop the death penalty here in Illinois. Balfour should have gotten the death penalty. The death penalty should also be an automatic for people who kill children, molest children, or kill anyone for any reason. The child molestors brains are wired all wrong and they will never stop molesting children. Quinn has been in some Illinois government job for many years and like Blago he spends most of his time in Chicago, the city with 100.000 gang members, who kill or maime each other everyday. Illinois is broke AND bankrupt. Quinn is closing many mental facilities in Illinois. Soon there will be others on the streets in Illinois who lack the mental capability to know wrong from right..sorta like Balfour...and also like some of the greedy, corrupt politicans here in Illinois. I have lived in various cities in Illinois for 70 years, I know what I am talking about.; Reply to this comment


by varigdc10 July 24, 2012 4:53 PM EDT: So why is this news? Who cares!; Reply to this comment


by Bojax39 July 24, 2012 4:52 PM EDT: Life? Should have gotten death.; Reply to this comment


by Regur44 July 24, 2012 4:21 PM EDT: There are instances when it is time to dispose of the trash, like this guy. He serves no purpose on this earth yet Illinois and other states insist on having its taxpayers support characters like Balfour for the rest of their lives. A state does not have to use the death penalty if it has it. But, where like with that b@#&%*d Holmes in Colorado there is not the slightest doubt of his guilt, society should not spend one dollar of scarce assets to keep him breathing. Just one more area where the bleeding heart liberals are destroying this country. They should be more concerned about the victims; Reply to this comment


by fastdraw2 July 24, 2012 4:08 PM EDT: That's not a man. That's a monkey. Don't believe me? Just look closely at him.; Reply to this comment


by taxed01 July 24, 2012 3:50 PM EDT: Bend over taxpayers - this is going to cost you big time.; Reply to this comment


by mari1963 July 24, 2012 2:37 PM EDT: And Balfour's entire family is in denial. His mother won't face that she raised an irresponsible monster. What a loser!; Reply to this comment