Was Jealousy a Motivation in Jennifer Hudson Family Killings?

Prosecutors are saying that Jennifer Hudson’s brother-in-law, William Balfour, went on a rampage, killiing her mother, brother and seven-year old nephew because her learned his estranged wife, Julia, was seeing another man. 

It was revealed in Balfour’s first court appearance that there is no real forensic evidence linking him to the crimes but the prosecution is confident that witness statements and Balfour’s own web of deceit will be sufficient. 

In court yesterday, prosecutor LuAnn Snow explained that, on the day of the murders, Balfour had been at the Hudsons’ home where he confronted Julia about a birthday present.  He believed that another man had given it to her and was angry.  During an earlier incident at her workplace, Balfour told Julia that her "family would suffer if she saw other men."  He made a similar threat on the morning of the murders but she didn’t take him seriously.

Here’s where the story gets sad.  They left the house together – she drove off while he was walking to his car, which has broken down.  Two acquaintances gave him a ride to a gas station but he then told them that he had left his handgun back in his car.  He was driven back to his car and refused rides to other places.  It has been revealed that the gun to which he was referring actually belonged to Jason Hudson, the man he later killed. 

Snow read the following description of the murders in court (don’t read this if you believe it will upset you):

"Defendant then entered the home at 7019 S. Yale at gunpoint.  He shot Darnell Donerson several times while she was in the living room area. He then went into Jason Hudson’s bedroom and shot him two times in the head (he was still in bed).

Defendant shot Julian King in the head while the 7-year-old was laying behind the front seat of the Suburban." 

Balfour’s attorney, Joshua Kutnick, argued that "there is no direct evidence of Mr. Balfour committing these crimes" and strongly disagreed with the first-degree murder and home invasion charges.  Snow said that there is some evidence, "including gunshot residue on the steering wheel of the car that had broken down."

This case is far from over, I can see.  I just want this to serve as a learning lesson for all of us – take threats against ourselves and our families very seriously.  It’s better to regret overreacting than to have done nothing.  I’m so sad for Jennifer, Julia and their entire family.

image: Newscom