Jennifer Hudson's Family Murder Trial: Alleged Killer's Lawyers Want To Talk To Star (PHOTOS)

CHICAGO -- Lawyers for the man accused of killing Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson's family members want to speak with the star before the trial begins in April.

William Balfour, 30, allegedly killed Hudson's mother, brother and nephew in October of 2008, and defense attorneys want to ask her about a text she may have exchanged with her mother just before the murders, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Balflour is the estranged husband of Hudson's sister -- Julia Hudson. He allegedly shot the Hudson sisters' mother, Darnell Donerson, their brother, Jason Hudson, and Julia Hudson's 7-year-old son, Julian King because he suspected his ex of being in a relationship with another man. Donerson and Jason Hudson were found dead in their South Side home, and police found the boy's body three days later in an SUV on the city's West Side.

At a Tuesday hearing, Chicago Police Officer Jennifer Bryk said a boy on the block told officers that Balfour threatened to kill everyone in the house a week or two before the murders, the Chicago Tribune reports.

During the hearing, defense attorneys attempted to get evidence thrown out from a search near the murder scene. They also claimed officers did not have enough "probable cause" to arrest Balflour, the Sun-Times reports.

In 2008, Balfour's attorney at the time said that there was no fingerprint, blood or other forensic evidence linking Balfour to the slayings. But prosecutors have said there is evidence linking Balfour to the murders, including gunshot residue on the steering wheel of his car. They also have said detectives have disproven some statements Balfour made to them, and Julia Hudson told police that he repeatedly threatened to kill her in the days leading up to the murders.

According to the Tribune, Assistant Public Defender Amy Thompson wants to meet with Hudson before the April trial begins, in case the star is asked to take the stand. Attorneys reportedly want to know more about calls and text messages she may have exchanged with her mother shortly before the murders.

Prosecutors said they already handed over Jennifer Hudson's contact information, but Thompson said it was just a number for her agent.

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Comments

[IslandGyal]

07:49 AM on 02/11/2012

Hence the reason I don't associate with lowlifes.

[JFaye]

03:26 PM on 02/24/2012

Including family members ...

[nypapajoe]

09:55 PM on 02/10/2012

These defense attorneys need to expirienced some of what their client's victims had to endure so that they can empathize!

[Craig Jai]

09:14 PM on 02/10/2012

Her killer will be one of thousands of black men to rot in prison. http://youtu.be/hdrqU2UZcCo

[Tony060460]

08:48 PM on 02/10/2012

Tell them where the h*** to go, Jennifer

[offred]

06:36 PM on 02/10/2012

"According to the Tribune, Assistant Public Defender Amy Thompson wants to meet with Hudson before the April trial begins, in case the star is asked to take the stand. Attorneys reportedly want to know more about calls and text messages she may have exchanged with her mother shortly before the murders."

How can that possibly be pertinent in a murder case? Unless the calls and text messages mention killing the alleged killer, possibly opening up a self-defense case. Otherwise, Hudson shouldn't have to be subjected to questioning by the alleged killer.

[hattieli]

10:58 AM on 02/10/2012

She should not have to relive this by talking to his attorney's she and her sister have been through enough what she text to her mother is between them leave them along. The trial in April is going to be very hard for them as it is.

[MsG7]

10:57 AM on 02/10/2012

NO NO NO!!!!!...... I hope JHud does not meet with the monster's lawyer.....Eff them!!!!!!!!!

[ConservativeChampion]

12:14 AM on 02/10/2012

ILL-ANNOY does not allow capital punishment. It's too bad because this is a text book case in favor of it.

[19th Amendment]

06:05 PM on 02/09/2012

If the Prosecutors handed over her number (or her agent's number) it sounds as if the defense has a right to ask. I hope Hudson has the best representation on the planet and leaves the matter up to her lawyers. She shouldn't have to bother with the defense team badgering her with questions. What's left of her family and herself will have to face that trial. That's bad enough on top of the horrific events they've already suffered through.

[Leon Holston Sr]

04:46 PM on 02/09/2012

dont do it let him meet with the devil he is looking for notiterity.let him meet with the prison board.

[vidian6]

04:25 PM on 02/09/2012

I don't see what talking to her will do for their client. She wasn't there and didn't have anything to do with the killings at all. No one is alleging that she had anything to do with it, so how can her testimony to anything to help his client.

[Parade Keegan]

02:32 PM on 02/09/2012

This man wants to victimize Jennifer by making this request, I for one would never give up my address to this piece of garbage.

[Adonijah]

02:21 PM on 02/09/2012

I hope her family get justice.

[rav1267]

10:18 PM on 02/09/2012

If you belive in God they will get the justice they deserve

[Adonijah]

11:50 AM on 02/10/2012

Amen!

[IslandGyal]

07:53 AM on 02/11/2012

Oh please!

[bighouse300]

01:42 PM on 02/09/2012

hay people let her meet him with a gun

[Bonez1]

06:30 AM on 02/09/2012

while i do understand all of you who are disgusted at the alleged killer and his lawyers who want to meet with Jennifer, they have every right to ask her questions since she is the state's prime witness against this guy.

i am not defending this guy but all of their evidence are circumstantial, even the gun powder on the steering wheels, which makes Jennifer all the more important witness for the state.

Unfortunately for all of you, this guy, evil that he may be has a right to Due Process, just like every citizen in the US.
They have the right to question their accuser.

Again, i am not defending this guy but.... i would think every one of you would want to face your accuser ( or your lawyer would) to find out all that he or she knows and says.
Not saying its the case here but what if someone who is your mortal enemy wants to make up stuff about you and the state decides to believe him/her and doesnt allow you to find out what he/she is saying about you?

Its called the due process and its the law :P

[FortheRedWhiteandBlue]

09:24 AM on 04/20/2012

"i would think every one of you would want to face your accuser ( or your lawyer would) to find out all that he or she knows and says."

I agree with everything you said, however, the above statement is what a trial is for. If his defense wants to know what Jennifers says or knows, then they can ask her when she takes the stand. And not before.