Jennifer Hudson's family murdered by brother-in-law

The brother-in-law of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson has been found guilty of murdering her mother, brother and seven-year-old nephew in what prosecutors described as an act of vengeance by a jilted husband.

William Balfour, 31, a small-time drug dealer and former member of a notorious Chicago gang, shot Hudson's mother Darnell Donerson, 57, and brother Jason, 29, in the home where the actress grew up. He abducted her nephew, Julian King, and murdered him too, dumping the boy's body in an abandoned car.

Balfour carried out the killings after the singer's sister Julia asked him for a divorce, the trial in Chicago heard.

Hudson, 30, who was a finalist on the American Idol talent show in 2004 and won an Oscar for her supporting role in the 2006 musical Dreamgirls, had grown up in the family home in a crime-ridden area of Chicago and often returned there to stay with her family.

She had known Balfour in school, and had always disliked him, the court heard. He had moved in to the family home with Julia, but their relationship deteriorated.

When the verdict was read out on Friday, tears ran down Hudson's face. The two sisters later issued a statement saying: "It is our prayer that the Lord will forgive Balfour of these heinous acts and bring his heart into repentance some day."

They also thanked prosecutors for their "dedication and tireless work" and praised police and trial witnesses.

Balfour, who now faces a mandatory life sentence, showed no emotion.

The jury deliberated for three days. Just an hour before their unanimous verdict on all counts, jurors sent a note to the judge saying that three jurors were still not fully convinced of Balfour's guilt.

The 11-day trial, which Hudson attended, heard harrowing evidence, and was shown photographs of the victims' bodies. The Hollywood actress was the first witness to appear, crying as she faced Balfour in the dock.

The proceedings were stormy at times and during closing speeches Balfour's defence attorney was almost shouting that the prosecution case was not proved. The defence claimed an enemy of Jason Hudson, who they said dealt crack cocaine, had carried out the killings.

But they were only able to produce two witnesses and little evidence to support that theory. The defence team afterwards insisted Balfour was innocent and asked for a new trial.

Because there was no witness or forensic evidence, the prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence, including mobile phone records which showed that Balfour had been in the vicinity at the time of the murders in October 2008. Witnesses reported him lurking outside the house after his relationship with Julia deteriorated and making threats to kill first her family and then her.

Jennifer Hudson is a true American success story. The daughter of a bus driver, she grew up in Chicago's South Side, one of the most crime-afflicted districts of America. When the murders were committed neighbours heard shots but did not report them to police because shootings are so common in the area.

Hudson first came to public attention as a finalist on American Idol and won her Academy Award in 2007. She also won a Grammy award for her debut album.

Her mother encouraged her singing talent when she was a child, attending her local Baptist church, choir practice and amateur singing competitions.

They were close, and Hudson sent her text messages every day. She began to fear that something was wrong when her mother failed to respond on the day of the killings, then learnt what had happened in a hysterical phone call from her sister.

Balfour carried out the killings with a.45 calibre handgun allegedly owned by Jason. The court heard he had flown into a jealous rage when he saw a gift of balloons outside the house, which he believed were a gift from his wife's new boyfriend.

He entered the house and shot Donerson dead in the living room, then shot Jason in the head as he lay in bed.

He then abducted Julian King, Julia's son from another relationship and the nephew who Hudson called "Tugga Bear". Afterwards he sought to cover his tracks, switching clothing and enlisting friends to try to build an alibi.

Balfour, a former member of Chicago's Gangster Disciples gang, was on parole at the time of the killings, having already been convicted of attempted murder and carjacking.