Hudson in-law convicted of murder

May 11 2012

Actress and singer Jennifer Hudson's former brother-in-law has been found guilty of murdering her mother, brother and seven-year-old nephew.

Prosecutors described the killings as an act of vengeance by a jilted husband.

The jury convicted 31-year-old William Balfour on three counts of first degree murder, after three days of deliberations. He faces a mandatory life sentence.

Prosecutors had to build an overwhelming circumstantial case tying Balfour to the killings because there were no surviving witnesses.

Defence lawyers claimed the killings could have been related to Hudson's brother's alleged drug dealing.

Hudson was the first witness called to the stand and she attended every day of evidence.