Jennifer Hudson Skips Murder Evidence Presentation

By Chuck Sudo in News on Apr 25, 2012 7:45PM

Day two of the trial of William Balfour, accused of murdering the mother, brother and nephew of singer-actress Jennifer Hudson, ended with Hudson and sister Julia leaving the courtroom as prosecutors presented evidence detailing the murders. Neither Hudson sister was in the courtroom Wednesday while the medical examiner who conducted the autopsy on Hudson's nephew took the stand.

Prosecutors have begun to focus on the details of 7-year-old Julian King's murder. Dr. Mitra Kalelkar, who conducted the autopsy of Hudson's nephew, took the stand today. She testified that King died of gunshot wounds, was found slightly decomposed in the back of Jason Hudson's SUV. Kalekar estimated King was dead between 36 and 72 hours, the fatal gunshot entered through the back of his head and exited through the left side of his face.

The wide range of time could prove crucial for Balfour's defense, as he was arrested on the day of the shootings. If Julian King died 72 hours before being found, then it can be reasoned that Balfour killed him. If the time of death was closer to 36 hours, there's a case for reasonable doubt, as Balfour was in custody by then.