Estranged relative charged in Jennifer Hudson family deaths

CHICAGO -- Jennifer Hudson's estranged brother-in-law was charged Tuesday with three counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of three of her family members.

Prosecutors handed down formal charges against William Balfour in the deaths of Hudson's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew, said Tandra Simonton, spokeswoman for the Cook County state's attorney's office.

Balfour had been in custody on a parole violation since the bodies of Hudson's mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, were discovered in their home Oct. 24. The body of Julian King, Balfour's stepson, was found in a sport utility vehicle three days later.

All three had been shot to death.

Until Monday, police had publicly identified Balfour only as a "person of interest" in the investigation.

Balfour's attorney said he talked to his client Tuesday morning and that he reiterated his innocence.

"It is scary as hell; he's charged with terrible crimes that he adamantly contends he's not guilty of," attorney Joshua Kutnick said before the announcement of the charges, which he said he expected.

Still, Kutnick added, "He's exhibited to me, at least, the patience to let the process unfold."

Jennifer Hudson was a finalist in the 2004 season of "American Idol" and won an Academy Award in 2007 for a supporting role in "Dreamgirls."