Jennifer Hudson witness in murder trial
JENNIFER Hudson was called as the first witness in her family's murder trial.
The 'Dreamgirls' actress did not hear the opening statements in the case against William Balfour at the Cook County courtroom in Chicago, but was among a list of 300 people who could be called as potential witnesses in the trial.
Taking to the stand, Jennifer - whose mother, brother and nephew were murdered in 2008 - revealed she had told her sister Julia not to marry William.
She said: ''I told her over and over again to not marry him. We did not like how he treated her.''
Crying, the Oscar-winning actress revealed the last time she saw her family members just a week before their deaths.
She said: ''It was my mother, my brother, my sister and my dog. I was so surprised. The whole family is there. That was the last time I saw them. Thank God I had that opportunity.''
She also claimed she had always tried to keep her distance from William.
Jennifer revealed she had spent the visit playing the piano with her mother Darnell and brother Jason.
Balfour is charged with first degree murder in their deaths in addition to home invasion, aggravated kidnapping, residential burglary and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
He has pleaded not guilty.
The trial is expected to last for approximately a month.
