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Defense Rests In Hudson Family Murder Trial

Reporter: Associated Press

UPDATE: Tuesday, May 8, 2012

The defense has rested in the trial of the man accused of killing Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.

Attorneys for William Balfour rested their case Tuesday after calling two police detectives as witnesses. Balfour chose not to testify in his own defense.

The judge says closing arguments will be Wednesday morning. Jurors will then begin deliberations.

Prosecutors rested their case earlier Tuesday after spending two weeks laying out a largely circumstantial case against Balfour.

Jennifer Hudson has sat through the trial on fourth-row bench, hanging her head during particularly grim testimony. She took the
stand last month as prosecutors' first witness.

UPDATE: Tuesday, May 8, 2012

The defense at the trial of the man accused of killing three of Jennifer Hudson's close relatives say their client won't take the witness stand.

They informed the judge that William Balfour has chosen not to speak directly to jurors minutes after prosecutors rested their case Tuesday afternoon.

Balfour's lawyers are expected to present a brief defense before resting themselves later Tuesday or Wednesday morning.

Before a lunch break, assistant public defender Amy Thompson asked the judge to dismiss the charges against Balfour. She argued
prosecutors called no direct witnesses tying their client to the murders and all the state's evidence has been circumstantial.

Judge Charles Burns denied the motion, which is commonly made by
defense attorneys after prosecutors rest.

Burns has said closing arguments will likely happen Wednesday morning.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Prosecutors have rested their case against the man accused of killing Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.

They presented two weeks of evidence against Hudson's former brother-in-law, William Balfour.

His attorneys were expected to present a brief defense Tuesday. They have argued that the state's evidence is circumstantial and they could call witnesses to try support that contention.

The judge has said closing arguments could happen Wednesday. Jurors would then begin deliberations.

Jennifer Hudson has sat through the trial on fourth-row bench. She testified on the first day about the last time she saw her family alive. She also spoke about how much she always disliked Balfour.