Man Charged in Hudson Killings

Weeks after Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson’s mother, brother, and 7-year-old nephew were killed, her estranged brother-in-law has been charged with their murders. William Balfour, 27, who is separated from wife Julia Hudson, was arrested Monday afternoon; he was already being held on parole violations. Police said they believe Balfour fought with Julia Hudson at the Hudsons’ home on the South Side of Chicago before shooting to death Darnell Donerson, 57, and Jason Hudson, 29, on October 24. The body of Julian King, 7, was found three days after the murders. Donerson’s cousin, Ruth Nichols, told the Chicago Sun-Times she and her family had been praying for an arrest: “It’s not going to bring your loved ones back, but if they have the person that did it, it’s some kind of relief,” she said. “I was just hoping they would get whoever did it.” Nichols said she didn’t know whether Balfour was the killer. “I don’t know who did it,” she said. “Everyone has to go to trial. Everyone has to be tried.” Authorities have recovered a .45-caliber pistol owned by Jason Hudson; they believe Balfour stole it.