Jennifer Hudson cries while testifying at family's murder trial.An emotional Jennifer Hudson took the witness stand in a Chicago court on Monday to open the murder trial against her former brother-in-law, accused of killing Hudson’s mother, brother and nephew in 2008.
The Oscar winner was the first witness to offer testimony in the high-profile case against
William Balfour, whom prosecutors say murdered the three victims after allegedly threatening harm against the family on numerous occasions.
Hudson choked back tears as she told the court about first hearing that her sister, Julia, intended to wed the onetime gang member and parolee.
"None of us wanted her to marry him," testified Jennifer Hudson. "We did not like how he treated her, and I didn’t like how he treated my nephew."
Hudson then began to cry, one of several moments during her testimony when the star was overcome by emotion.
At the time of the shootings in October 2008, Balfour was estranged from Julia Hudson.
Prosecutors contend that he flew into a jealous rage and fatally shot Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, as well as her brother James and her 7-year-old son Julian King
Balfour has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder.
If he’s convicted, the previously incarcerated Balfour faces a mandatory life sentence.
It’s expected that Hudson will attend the trial for its duration.
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