New Details Released in Hudson Family Murders

A new report filed by Cook County prosecutors suggests the suspect was in a jealous rage

New details emerged this week about the murders of Jennifer Hudson's family members.

A new report filed by Cook County prosecutors ahead of William Balfour's April trial indicates the suspect was in a jealous rage when he murdered Hudson's mother, brother and young nephew back in the fall of 2008.

Balfour, 27, is Julia Hudson's estranged husband. He is accused of killing Academy Award winning singer Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson; Hudson's 29-year-old brother, Jason Hudson; and her 7-year-old nephew, Julian King.

Court documents said Jennifer Hudson's family did not approve of the marriage and that Balfour didn't treat her sister well.

Julia Hudson told police that he threatened her as many as two dozen times. The couple was separated eight months prior to the murder, but court documents say their physical relationship continued just days before the murders.

According to the filings, Balfour showed up to the family's home on the morning of Oct. 24, 2008, and noticed balloons that Julia's new boyfriend sent her for Sweetest Day. He got angry, punched the balloons, then lingered outside the house, according to the documents.

With the upcoming trial, the Chicago Tribune reports Balfour's lawyers want potential jurors to indicate on a questionnaire how closely they've followed Jennifer Hudson's music and movie career.

The trial is scheduled to start April 9. It's not clear whether Hudson will testify, though she was included on the witness list.

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