CHICAGO: Jennifer Hudson's estranged brother-in-law was charged yesterday with three counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of three of her family members. Prosecutors handed down formal charges against William Balfour in the deaths of Hudson's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew, said Tandra Simonton, spokeswoman for the Cook County state's attorney's office. Balfour had been in custody on a parole violation since the bodies of Hudson's mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, were discovered in their home Oct. 24. The body of young Julian King, Balfour's stepson, was found in a sport utility vehicle three days later. All three had been shot to death.
Calif. couple arrested in captivity of youth, 17
SAN FRANCISCO: A husband and wife were arrested after an emaciated, terrified and nearly naked 17-year-old showed up at a gym with a chain locked to his ankle, saying he had just fled his captors, authorities said yesterday. Police were also seeking the boy's aunt and had an outstanding felony warrant against her for an earlier alleged assault against the teen. Police arrested Kelly Layne Lau, 30, and Michael Schumacher, 34, late Monday on charges of torture, kidnapping and child abuse. They were set to appear in court today, according to online jail records. Police still were seeking Caren Ramirez, 43, the boy's aunt, on suspicion of participating in the alleged abuse, authorities said.
