William Balfour, the estranged brother-in-law of Oscar Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson, was arrested on Monday and expected to be charged in the tragic murders of Hudson's mother, brother, and seven-year-old nephew.Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond stated that Balfour was arrested at Stateville Correctional Center on a murder warrant and released to detectives as he awaited formal charges in the deaths of Hudson's family members.
As previously reported, Balfour was being held at the Stateville Correctional Center since the October 24 slayings on a parole violation and was considered a "person of interest" in the case.
Despite being the only suspect arrested in the investigation thus far, Balfour maintains his innocence, according to his attorney Joshua Kutnick.
"He vehemently denies that he is guilty in this case," Kutnick told reporters outside police headquarters Monday night. "Any evidence pointing to Mr. Balfour is not even thin. It is very, very weak."
So far authorities have found the .45-caliber gun that was used in the killings. The handgun was discovered in a Chicago West Side neighborhood vacant lot on October 29, which was the same location where the body of Hudson's nephew, Julian King was found a few days earlier. Police have declined to reveal any additional evidence that they may have in the investigation.
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Academy Award winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson visits MTV's "Sucker Free" at MTV Studios on September 29, 2008 in New York City..Jennifer Hudson Visits MTV's "Sucker Free" - September 29, 2008.MTV Studios.New York City, New York United States.September 29, 2008.Photo by George Napolitano/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (55909841), contact FilmMagic.com
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L-R) Producer Joe Pichirallo, director Gina Prince-Bythewood, Lauren Shuler-Donner, actors Dakota Fanning, Nate Parker, Jennifer Hudson, Tristan Wilds and Queen Latifah arrive at the LA premiere of "The Secret Life Of Bees" held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on October 6, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California..Fox Searchlight Presents The LA Premiere Of "The Secret Life Of Bees".Beverly Hills, CA United States.October 6, 2008.Photo by Todd Williamson/WireImage.com..To license this image (55901516), contact WireImage.com
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Actress Jennifer Hudson arrives at the LA premiere of "The Secret Life Of Bees" held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on October 6, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California..Fox Searchlight Presents The LA Premiere Of "The Secret Life Of Bees".Beverly Hills, CA United States.October 6, 2008.Photo by Todd Williamson/WireImage.com..To license this image (55900966), contact WireImage.com
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Actress Jennifer Hudson arrives at the LA premiere of "The Secret Life Of Bees" held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on October 6, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California..Fox Searchlight Presents The LA Premiere Of "The Secret Life Of Bees".Beverly Hills, CA United States.October 6, 2008.Photo by Todd Williamson/WireImage.com..To license this image (55900963), contact WireImage.com
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Actress Queen Latifah and Actress Jennifer Hudson arrive at the LA premiere of "The Secret Life Of Bees" held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on October 6, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California..Fox Searchlight Presents The LA Premiere Of "The Secret Life Of Bees".Beverly Hills, CA United States.October 6, 2008.Photo by Todd Williamson/WireImage.com..To license this image (55900845), contact WireImage.com
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Actors Jennifer Hudson and Nate Parker arrive at the premiere of "The Secret Life Of Bees" held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on October 6, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California.."The Secret Life Of Bees" Los Angeles Premiere - Red Carpet.The Academy Of Motion Arts & Sciences.Beverly Hills, CA United States.October 6, 2008.Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage.com..To license this image (55899727), contact WireImage.com
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Actresses Queen Latifah and Jennifer Hudson arrive at the premiere of "The Secret Life Of Bees" held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on October 6, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California.."The Secret Life Of Bees" Los Angeles Premiere - Red Carpet.The Academy Of Motion Arts & Sciences.Beverly Hills, CA United States.October 6, 2008.Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage.com..To license this image (55899707), contact WireImage.com
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Actress Jennifer Hudson arrives at the premiere of "The Secret Life Of Bees" held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on October 6, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California.."The Secret Life Of Bees" Los Angeles Premiere - Red Carpet.The Academy Of Motion Arts & Sciences.Beverly Hills, CA United States.October 6, 2008.Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage.com..To license this image (55899616), contact WireImage.com
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(L-R) Producer Joe Pichirallo, director Gina Prince-Bythewood, Lauren Shuler-Donner, actors Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Nate Parker and Queen Latifah arrive at the premiere of "The Secret Life Of Bees" held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on October 6, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California.."The Secret Life Of Bees" Los Angeles Premiere - Red Carpet.The Academy Of Motion Arts & Sciences.Beverly Hills, CA United States.October 6, 2008.Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage.com..To license this image (55899029), contact WireImage.com
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Actress Jennifer Hudson arrives at the premiere of "The Secret Life Of Bees" held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on October 6, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California.."The Secret Life Of Bees" Los Angeles Premiere - Red Carpet.The Academy Of Motion Arts & Sciences.Beverly Hills, CA United States.October 6, 2008.Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage.com..To license this image (55898998), contact WireImage.com
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With very little information being disclosed to the public, Balfour's mother, Michelle Davis-Balfour feels authorities don't have a case against her son.
"If they found gun powder on his hands, you got a case; if they found a gun on him, he had a case; if they found a fingerprint on the truck that he did this, you got a case; but they don't have nothing," she said.
Prior to his arrest on Monday, Balfour was set to appear before a parole board on December 3 seeking a possibly release from police custody.
Comments: (57)
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By: mzztlove on 12/02/2008 1:11PM
WELL IF HE DID THIS.. GOD WILL JUDGE HIM LIKE NO OTHER CAN.. IT DOES SEEM STRANGE THAT HIS CAR WAS THERE! FOR SO LONG THAT IS JUST SAD TO THINK THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CAN END IN THE DEATH OF INNOCENT PEOPLE, BUT SUCH AS LIFE, AND HE IS DESERVING OF WHATEVER HE GETS THIS IS SAD.. AND I WON'T TRY TO JUDGE HIM BUT I DO STRONGLY FEEL THAT HE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT.. I REST MY CASE!!!
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By: Letty on 12/02/2008 1:40PM
I just hope the absolute truth comes out. J.Hudson's older brother wasn't a saint, so the reason why this happened may not only be on Balfour's shoulders.
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By: BARBARA AJACKSON on 12/02/2008 1:44PM
i do believe he had something to do with murders...... but vengenance is mines.. saith the lord!!!!!
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By: FREDA on 12/02/2008 2:20PM
I DO NOT THINK WILLIAM B DID IT. IT IS SOMETHING MORE TO THIS STORY. WILLIAM HAS A BAD REECORD SO THEY WILL ACCUSE HIM.WHAT.WHO EVER MURDERED HER FAMILY I BELIEVE IT INVOVLED THE BROTHER.I BELIEVE HE DID SOMETHING TO SOME ONE LIKE OWED DRUG MONEY AND THEY KNEW JENNIFER WAS HIS SISTER AND HE DID NOT PAY UP OR HE WAS IN SOMETHING DEEP. JENNIFER I LOVE YOU AND I HAVE A MOM BUT I BELIEVE WILLIAM IS INNOCENT.AND I THINK WHEN SOME ONE IN THE FAMILY IS FAMOUS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN NOT LIVE IN THE HOOD. YOU SHOULD HAVE MADE THEM LEAVE.TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR FAMILY. PEACE!!!!! .
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By: PELARR KELLY on 12/02/2008 7:27PM
IM SORRY-BUT I HAVE BEEN ASKING MY SELF-WHERE WAS JENNIFER'S SISTER AT THE BEGINNING-WHAT TOOK HER SO LONG TO GET ON T.V. ABOUT HER SON.MY GUT FEELING IS --SOMETHING WENT WRONG AND I THINK SHE KNOWS SOMETHING ABOUT IT.THE POLICE SHOULD BE ASKING HER QUESTIONS,I REALLY THINK SHE KNOWS MORE.
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By: Natalia on 12/02/2008 3:09PM
I totally agree with #5. I believe the sister is guilty as hell about something. Her comments and bazaar behavior (being on myspace);immediately following the deaths of her mother/brother and disappearance of her son. There were pics of her on myspace, claiming to have another man...WTF is that about and who does that?!!! She did not appear to be grieving about such a tragic loss. William may be involved some way but I hope he does not take the fall entirely; if he did not act alone!!
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By: cheryl thomas on 12/02/2008 3:23PM
My prays are still with Jennifer. May god bless her more and over again.
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By: TESE on 12/02/2008 3:28PM
NOW I HAVE ANOTHER HUNCH.I THINK THAT HER EX-BOYFRIEND MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE KILLINGS.JENNIFER,I LOVE YOU,BUT THE TRUTH IS AND WILL PREVAIL ON WHAT REALLY HAPPEN.I FEEL LIKE HER EX FELT BETRAYED BY JENNIFER GETTING INTO STARDOM AND FELT LIKE SHE GOT BIG-HEADED FOR HIM.HE MAYBE FELT LIKE HE STOOD BY HER AND SHE TURNED AROUND AND DROPPED HIM FOR SOMEONE ELSE SHE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW.ONE TIME SHE SPOKE ON MARRYING HER EX,THEN POPPED UP WITH PUNK AS HER MAN.I THINK THEY ARE ACTUALLY GOING AFTER THE WRONG PERSON.WHOEVER DID THIS TERRIBLE THING WILL PAY AND GOD WILL MAKE SURE OF THAT,I AM PRAYING FOR THE HUDSON FAMILY TO GET THROUGH THESE TRYING TIMES.
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By: DIna on 12/02/2008 3:52PM
JUST GIVE GOD TIME...HE WILL REVEAL THESE OR WHOEVER THIS HEARTLESS PERSON COMMITTED THIS SENSELESS CRIME......ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE!
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By: KHALI VAUGHNTUDDY on 12/03/2008 3:34PM
I AGREE WITH TESE'S COMMENT.
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