Jennifer Hudson & Family "Pleased" with Balfour Guilty Verdict

Finally receiving the justice which they'd waited to occur for over four years, Jennifer Hudson and family were in court as William Balfour was found guilty of first degree murder.

The verdict was read in a Chicago courthouse on Friday afternoon (May 11), with Miss Hudson's estranged brother-in-law, Balfour, being held responsible for the shooting deaths of the singer/actress' three family members in their native Chicago, Illinois in October, 2008.

The trial began on on April 23, 2012, with jurors being presented with testimony from witnesses including Hudson and her sister Julia, who split from Balfour in February, 2008.

After two days of deliberations, the jury convicted Balfour of the brutal slayings while also finding him guilty of charges of home invasion, residential burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle and aggravated kidnapping.

With a sentence expected to be delivered at a later date, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez said of Jennifer and family's feelings regarding the guilty verdict, “They are both very pleased and very appreciative with the cooperation we have provided for them."

Alvarez added, “They are relieved and we hope the verdict gives some sense of justice.”

Source: celebrity-gossip.net

Jackson Family: Eagerly Awaiting Dr. Murray Verdict

They’ve been closely monitoring the manslaughter trial of Dr. Conrad Murray from the beginning, and the Jackson family is anxious to see how the jury decides.

The parents and siblings of the late Michael Jackson will received a 2-hour “heads up” when the jury comes to a decision on the guilt or innocence of Dr. Murray, and they’ll all be in the courtroom wen the verdict is read.

Now that all of the witnesses and evidence have been examined, the jury is deliberating and could reach a decision at any time. If convicted, Murray could face 4 years in jail.

In his closing argument, defense attorney Ed Chernoff explained, “They want you to convict Dr. Murray for the actions of Michael Jackson.

However, prosecutor David Walgren shot back, “Poor Conrad Murray.. Michael Jackson is dead. And we have to hear about poor Conrad Murray and no doctor knows what it’s like to be in his shoes. What is unusual and unpredictable is that Michael Jackson lived as long as he did under the care of Conrad Murray in this situation.”

Source: Celebrity-Gossip.net