William Balfour's not guilty plea

Jan 21, 2009, 9:35 GMT

An undated file photo of William Balfour, 27, EPA/ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Jennifer Hudson's estranged brother-in-law has pleaded not guilty to murdering her mother, brother and nephew.

William Balfour - who is charged with first-degree murder and home invasion - entered his plea at the Cook County Court in Chicago yesterday (20.01.09).

As he entered the court room, Balfour briefly nodded to members of his family who were looking on.

He is being held without bail and is due back in court on January 27.

Balfour - who is the estranged husband of Jennifer's sister Julia - is accused of shooting 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 has previously insisted 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."