Jennifer Hudson's Family Murder Trial: Alleged Killer's Arrest Upheld In Court (VIDEO)

A judge on Tuesday upheld the arrest of the man who allegedly killed three of singer Jennifer Hudson's family members in 2008.

Attorneys representing William Balfour had aimed to convince a judge that the arrest of their client -- and evidence from a warrantless search -- should be thrown out because Chicago police lacked "probable cause," the Chicago Tribune reports.

Judge Charles Burns ruled, however, that Balfour's Oct. 24, 2008 arrest was "proper, particularly given that Balfour had previously threatened his estranged wife, Hudson's sister Julia, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

"There's no reason to deny the veracity of prior threats," Burns noted, the Sun-Times reports.

Balfour, too, was reportedly in the area where the slayings took place when gunshots were initially heard, according to CBS Chicago.

Balfour, 30, is accused of killing Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson; brother, Jason Hudson and 7-year-old nephew Julian King -- allegedly because he suspected his ex, Julia, was in a relationship with another man.

In 2008, Balfour's former attorney claimed that no fingerprint, blood or other forensic evidence linked the man to the slayings, but prosecutors argued that evidence such as gunshot residue on the steering wheel of his car links him to the crimes.

Last week, Balfour's attorneys said they wanted to meet with Hudson before their client's trial begins in April, in case the star singer and actress is asked to take the stand. Attorneys reportedly want to know more about calls and text messages Hudson may have exchanged with her mother shortly before the murders took place.

Balfour is next expected to appear in court on Feb. 23.

WATCH an update on Hudson's family murder trial:

Suspect in Jennifer Hudson Family's Murders in Court: MyFoxCHICAGO.com

Comments

[trron9]

01:18 PM on 02/16/2012

This killer is going down and hard! Because this such a high profile every I will be dotted, every T will be crossed and judge, the prosecutor will seek to punish this man to the maximum extent of the law!

[maliksmama]

09:10 PM on 02/15/2012

Gun powder residue on the steering wheel...what about on him and his clothes?

[Ktbu Lfu]

04:57 PM on 02/15/2012

How horrible for this young lady to have gone through this. I applaud her grace and dignity through such a hard time. I applaud her for not making the talk show rounds about it and I hope it stays that way.

[jayindc]

04:19 PM on 02/15/2012

God bless, Miss Hudson.

[logic123]

04:07 PM on 02/15/2012

Shouldn't this be in the 'Crime' section?

[Brew50]

04:02 PM on 02/15/2012

Black women...let that be a lesson. Stop going to bed with C-R-A-Z-Y!!

[babyboomernina]

04:41 PM on 02/15/2012

ALL women....there is C-R-A-Z-Y everywhere.

[Ktbu Lfu]

04:58 PM on 02/15/2012

How about ALL women?

[Jazmo]

11:40 AM on 02/15/2012

Such a sad story.