Jennifer Hudson's in-law in court

Dec 31, 2008, 9:10 GMT

Jennifer Hudson's brother-in-law has been formally indicted on murder and home invasion charges following the killings of her mother, brother and nephew in October.

William Balfour was indicted on the same four counts he was formally charged with earlier this month - three counts of first degree murder and one of home invasion - at a hearing in a Chicago court yesterday (30.12.08).

Balfour - who is the estranged husband of Jennifer's sister Julia - is accused of murdering the singer's mother Darnell Donerson, 57, brother Jason Hudson, 29, and seven-year-old nephew Julian King on October 24.

He denies all involvement in the killings, and is currently being held without bond on a parole violation at Illinois' Stateville Correctional Center.

Balfour's attorney Joshua Kutnick insists his client is innocent and claims there is no hard evidence linking him to the crimes.

Kutnick said: "The police believe it is William Balfour, but the problem is what they have done. They find their suspect and build evidence around the suspect. That's not the way it should work. They should gather evidence and it should lead to a suspect.

"This was the convenient person to go to. It is bolstered by the fact that it took them so long to get him arrested and charged."

During the short hearing, Balfour's attorney Joshua Kutnick asked for him to be transferred to the Cook County Jail in order to make it easier for him to communicate with his family and legal team.

The judge will rule on the request at Balfour's next hearing, scheduled for January 20.

It has previously been alleged that Balfour killed Darnell, Jason and Julian after becoming overcome with envy when he saw Julia receive a birthday present from a new boyfriend.