William Balfour Gets Life Sentence for Jennifer Hudson Family Murder

We all remember when we heard the news of the tragic loss of songstress Jennifer Hudson’s family nearly four years ago. As of today, there is finally closure.

William Balfour—the estranged husband of Jennifer’s sister and the man convicted in the shooting deaths of Hudson’s mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew—was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday (July 24), the Associated Press reports. The judge sentenced him to three life terms plus 120 years on other charges. The life sentences are mandatory, as the death penalty is illegal in Illinois.

Cook County Circuit Judge Charles Burns denied a request for a new trial from Balfour’s defense.

Judge Burns had some choice words for Balfour. “You have the heart of an arctic night,” he told him. “Your soul is as barren as dark space.”

Still protesting his innocence, Balfour presented a statement to the Hudson family and to the judge.

“My deepest prayers goes out to Julian King,” he said. “I loved him. I still love him. I’m innocent your honor.”