Judge Rules Accused Hudson Killer's Arrest Valid

A judge decides not to quash Balfour's arrest

A judge on Tuesday ruled the 2008 arrest of a man accused of killing three members of Jennifer Hudson's family was valid.

Attorneys for William Balfour argued last week he wasn’t breaking the law when officers took him into custody and said his arrest should be thrown out.

Assistant State’s Attorney James McKay, however, insisted the judge take into consideration what Hudson’s sister, Julia, told officers about how her estranged husband repeatedly threatened to murder her before her family was found dead.

Judge Charles Burns ruled Tuesday police had sufficient cause to enter Balfour's girlfriend's home without a warrant to arrest him.

William Balfour was charged with the late-2008 slayings of Academy Award winning singer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson; Hudson's brother, Jason Hudson; and her 7-year-old nephew, Julian King.

Balfour's attorneys also requested to speak with Hudson to ask her about a text she exchanged with her mother before the murder. They argued the text could be possible evidence.

Jury selection in the trial is scheduled for April 9.

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