William Balfour, who is currently serving a life sentence for the brutal murders of three members of Jennifer Hudson's family in 2008, has chosen to speak out publicly for the first time in an interview with the ABC7 I-Team.
The tragic killings captured global attention, with Balfour, who was Jennifer Hudson's former brother-in-law, being swiftly arrested on the day of the incident.
As he had never faced his relatives or the press before and had not testified during his trial, the ABC7 I-Team seized the opportunity to ask him some challenging questions.
Regarding the triple homicide that occurred in Englewood at the residence of his estranged wife Julia, Hudson's sister, Balfour adamantly denied any involvement, claiming ignorance of the circumstances surrounding the case.
A jury determined that on October 24, 2008, Balfour fatally shot Hudson's mother and brother in their Englewood home before abducting her 7-year-old nephew in a fit of jealousy.
Tragically, the child was later discovered dead in a stolen SUV, with the keys found in Balfour's possession.
Witnesses reported seeing him with a distinctive chrome and black pistol matching the murder weapon.
During the interview conducted at Pontiac, Illinois' historic penitentiary, Balfour accused numerous individuals, including his friends and then-wife Julia, of perjury.
Despite Julia's testimony alleging repeated death threats from Balfour, he vehemently denied any intent to harm her or her family.
Balfour, who was on parole at the time following a 1992 attempted murder conviction, refuted the prosecution's evidence, claiming it had been fabricated or planted by law enforcement officers.
Despite his conviction on all charges following a lengthy trial, Balfour continued to assert his innocence, suggesting a vast conspiracy involving various parties orchestrating his downfall.
His subsequent appeals were unsuccessful, culminating in the U.S. Supreme Court declining to review his case.
When questioned about why he did not testify in his defense, Balfour cited his trial lawyer's advice, refusing to elaborate on the private discussions that led to that decision.
He expressed remorse for the loss of his childhood friend Julian, emphasizing his innocence in the tragic events that unfolded.
In response to Balfour's recent statements, Chicago police reiterated their confidence in the case built on factual evidence, while the Cook County State's Attorney's office emphasized the overwhelming proof against him.
Both Jennifer and Julia Hudson declined requests for interviews from the I-Team.
Balfour's legal representatives opted not to comment on the matter, leaving the public to grapple with the complexities of this high-profile case and the conflicting narratives presented by the convicted killer.
