William Balfour, the man convicted of the tragic killings of Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother, and young nephew, has maintained his innocence years after the horrific incident.
He claims that his conviction was orchestrated by law enforcement in a calculated “conspiracy.”
In his first interview since the 2008 murders, Balfour adamantly declared, “I didn't have anything to do with her family being killed.
Full stop.
I wasn't involved in the case and have no knowledge of who might be responsible.”
Balfour received a life sentence in 2012 for the shooting deaths of Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, her brother Jason Hudson, and her nephew Julian King.
The adults were discovered deceased in their Chicago residence, while Julian's body was recovered in a vehicle stolen by Balfour.
Prosecutors portrayed Balfour, who was separated from Hudson's sister Julia at the time of the killings, as a possessive individual who pursued his wife's family following her departure in early 2008.
At the time of his arrest, he was on parole for a previous attempted murder conviction dating back to 1992.
Throughout the trial, Julia Hudson testified about Balfour's threats against her life, but Balfour refuted these allegations during his recent interview, asserting that they were no longer in a relationship.
Despite incriminating evidence such as gun residue on his attire and eyewitnesses placing him near the crime scene, Balfour insists that law enforcement fabricated the proof against him, framing him for the murders.
When questioned about the firearm allegedly used in the killings, which witnesses claimed he possessed, Balfour vehemently denied ever holding it, denouncing the testimonies as falsehoods.
Following his conviction on three counts of murder, Balfour faced a life sentence due to Illinois' absence of capital punishment.
During sentencing in 2012, Judge Charles Burns condemned Balfour, remarking that he possessed a cold and desolate soul.
During the court proceedings, Balfour briefly expressed his innocence and affection for the young victim, Julian, sentiments he reiterated in the recent jailhouse interview, recalling fond memories of the child he cared for deeply.
When confronted with the question of why someone would harm a child, Balfour responded with disdain, describing the act as callous and devoid of any semblance of family values.
As Balfour continues to assert his innocence, the tragic events surrounding Jennifer Hudson's family remain shrouded in mystery and controversy, leaving a lingering sense of unresolved sorrow and unanswered questions.