AceShowbiz -

Jennifer Hudson's estranged brother in-law William Balfour has, on Tuesday, December 2, been officially charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of the actress-singer's three family members. He, additionally, was also charged with one count of felony home invasion. The handing down of the formal charges has been confirmed by Tandra Simonton, spokeswoman for the Cook County state's attorney's office.

Meanwhile, William's attorney Joshua Kutnick testified he has talked to his client who insists he is innocence in the case. "It is scary as hell; he's charged with terrible crimes that he adamantly contends he's not guilty of," Joshua said in a statement. "He's exhibited to me, at least, the patience to let the process unfold."

William's request for bail was denied by judge on Wednesday, December 3. His next court date is set for later this month on date 30.

William Balfour, the estranged husband of Jennifer Hudson's sister Julia Hudson, had been put in custody on a parole violation since the bodies of Jennifer's mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, were discovered in their home back on October 24. The body of Jennifer's 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, Julia's son and William's stepson, was found in a sport utility vehicle three days later.

Following William's denied bond, prosecutors stated William is believed to have been driven by his jealousy towards the other man whom he believed Julia was dating. He reportedly threatened to "harm" her family if she continued to see a new man, but she didn't take his threat seriously because he "had not followed through on any of those threats" before.

Prosecutors, furthermore, stated that William came to Jennifer's family home in the morning the triple murder occurred. He and Julia left the house together, but he then returned to the house alone. As of press time, it is reported that William has been brought to Cook County Jail, booked and is being housed in the general population.