Brother-in-law gets 3 life terms

Jul 26, 2012 |

Los Angeles

Singer-actress Jennifer Hudson’s former brother-in-law has been sentenced to three life sentences for murdering her mother, brother and nephew.
William Balfour, 31, was convicted in May on three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Hudson’s mom Darnell Donerson, her brother Jason Hudson, and nephew Julian King. He was also convicted of home invasion and residential burglary.
Balfour was in a Chicago courtroom for his sentencing, and proclaimed his innocence right up to the end, TMZ reported.
Hudson was present when Balfour was given three life sentences as well as 120 years for other charges including home invasion, residential burglary, aggravated kidnapping and possession of a stolen vehicle. Balfour’s defence filed an appeal shortly after he was convicted of first-degree murder in May, but it was denied. During the sentencing hearing, the judge told Balfour, “Your soul is as barren as dark space.”
The evidence that helped seal Balfour’s fate was testimony from an investigator who said he triangulated Balfour’s location using cell phone towers.

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