On Tuesday, Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson’s former Brother-in-Law, William Balfour was sentenced to life in prison for the 2008 killing of her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.
Balfour was convicted of first-degree murder in May for the deaths of 57-year-old Darnell Dornerson, 29-year-old Jason Hudson, and 7-year-old Julian King.
While Hudson attended every day of the trial earlier this year, she did not make a statement and left the courtroom on Tuesday without commenting.
Although Balfour offered his apologies to the family and maintained that he wasn’t responsible for the death of their relatives, Cook County Circuit Judge Charles Burns rejected his claim that he was innocent.
“I don’t think you have one ounce of remorse in your soul; I really don’t,” Burns said.
Since Illinois does not have the death penalty, Balfour faced a mandatory life sentence. He was sentenced to three life terms in prison, in addition to 120 years on other charges. The judge pointed out to Balfour that the sentences would run one after the other, followed by the additional sentence of 120 years for the charges of home invasion, aggravated kidnapping and possession of a stolen vehicle.
Jennifer Hudson did not make a statement at the sentencing, but testified during the trial that she had known Balfour for many years and always disliked him.
Photo credit: David Torcivia.
