Indictment Handed Down in Hudson Murder Case

Man accused of killing Jennifer Hudson's family is formally indicted on murder and home invasion charges

By Gina Serpe Dec 30, 2008 7:21 PMTags
William Balfour, Jennifer HudsonHO/AFP/Getty Images; Steve Granitz/Getty Images

The man accused of killing Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew back on Oct. 24 has been formally indicted on murder and home invasion charges after appearing in Chicago court for a brief hearing this afternoon.

The 27-year-old William Balfour, who along with his attorney continues to deny his involvement in the slayings of 57-year-old Darnell Donerson, 29-year-old Jason Hudson and 7-year-old Julian King, is currently being held without bond on a parole violation at Illinois' Stateville Correctional Center.

Balfour today was indicted on the same four counts he was formally charged with earlier this month—three counts of first-degree murder and one count of home invasion—thereby alleviating the need for prosecutors to lay out their evidence at a subsequent hearing. They have, however, already put forth their theory on the tragedy.

In addition to the indictment, Balfour's attorney today requested that his client be transferred to the Cook County Jail in order to be nearer to his family. No decision has yet been made on the request.

The next hearing has been set for Jan. 20.