The man suspected of killing singer Jennifer's Hudson's mother, brother and nephew yesterday pleaded not guilty to charges of first degree murder and home invasion.
The estranged husband of Hudson's sister Julia, William Balfour, is accused of shooting the three family members in a jealous rage because his wife had begun dating another man.
As previously reported, the bodies of Hudson's mother Darnell Donerson and brother Jason Hudson were found at their home on Chicago's south side on 24 Oct, whilst the singer's nephew Julian King was reported missing.
A search was launched for the seven year old boy and a reward offered for his safe return, but sadly, his body was discovered a few days later on 27 Oct, several blocks away from the site of the original incident, in an abandoned SUV. He, like his uncle and grandmother, was the victim of multiple gunshot wounds.
Balfour's defence attorney's claim that there is no forensic evidence to prove the case. He remains in custody without bail, and is due back in court on 27 Jan.
Jennifer Hudson is to make her first appearance since the killings at Super Bowl Sunday, and will follow that with a performance at the Grammy's MusiCares event. She's been nominated for a number of Grammy awards, included Best R&B Album, and Best R&B Vocal Performance.