Jennifer Hudson is set to attend the murder trial of William Balfour, the man accused of murdering her mother Darnell Donerson, 57, brother Jason Hudson, 29, and 7-year old nephew Julian King.
Judge Charles Burns will begin weeding out jurors beginning Monday (today) and they will be questioned about their knowledge of Jennifer Hudson.
According to a recent Associated Press article legal experts believe Jennifer’s celebrity status and the publicity received over the murders could heavily influence the jurors. Will the jurors be star struck if they happen to catch Hudson on American Idol this coming Thursday or if they’re a member of Weight Watchers, or if they love her music? Experts and defense attorney Gerald Uelmen said the burden also falls on Jennifer who must refrain from “overt displays of emotion.”
“The risk is that jurors may be watching her rather than testifying witnesses, and they could be influenced by how she reacts,” he said. “She would be well advised not to engage in any facial expressions or outbursts. That could be grounds for a mistrial.”
Jennifer Hudson is expected to attend the trial presumably with her sister Julia every day once testimony begins.
