JENNIFER HUDSON will be front-and-center in a Chicgao coutrtoom, as proceedings open in the murder trial of WILLIAM BALFOUR who stands accused of murdering her mother, brother and nephew three years ago.
Former O.J. Simpson attorney Gerald Uelmen told AP Hudson should keep a calm, stoic demeanor when she’s in attendance, lest there could be serious complications in the legal process.
"Jurors may be watching her rather than testifying witnesses, and they could be influenced by how she reacts," Uelmen said.
"She would be well advised not to engage in any facial expressions or outbursts. That could be grounds for a mistrial."
A lot of 150 potential jurors (who filled out a 26-page questionnaire last week) will be directly questioned about their familiarity with Hudson and her projects, from her ascension to stardom on American Idol, to her Oscar-winning turn in Dreamgirls to her endorsement deal with Weight Watchers.
Questions the would-be jurors can expect are: if they’ve ever seen Hudson in any films; if they’ve ever seen her in concert; if they have any ties to the various brands she endorses; and how much media they’ve watched or read pertaining to the singer in the aftermath of the 2008 killings.
The idea behind the inquisition is to eliminate any jurors whose devotion to Hudson would hinder their ability to come to an unbiased decision in regards to Balfour.
The jurors will submit their responses to lawyers for the prosecution and defense, and Cook County Judge Charles Burns, who’s mandated their identities be kept secret until after a verdict is renedered.
Balfour faces counts of murder, aggravated kidnapping and home invasion in the October 24, 2008 deaths of Darnell Hudson Donerson, 57; Jason Hudson, 29; and Julian King, 7,RadarOnline.com reported
