William Balfour has been found guilty in the Jennifer Hudson family murder trial.

The verdict was reached just moments ago, and the Dream Girls star was in the courtroom for the sentencing.

Balfour murdered Hudson's mother, brother, and nephew in 2008 after he suspected Hudson's sister Julia had been cheating on him.

In addition to first degree murder, Balfour was also charged with home invasion, aggravated kidnapping, residential burglary and possession of a stolen motor vehicle and was sentenced to life in prison. Jurors reached their decision after three days of deliberations.

Balfour originally plead not guilty.

Jennifer Hudson stepped out of a Chicago courtroom early on Wednesday after another witness displayed gruesome photos of one of her murdered family members.

The Grammy winning singer exited when a retired chief medical examiner identified pictures showing the gunshot wounds to the head of Julian King, Hudson's 7-year-old nephew. David Ortuga, Hudson's fiance, stayed behind to take extensive notes when the singer fled.

Her sister Julia Hudson left as well, repeating events that occurred a day prior when both ladies excused themselves when photos of their mother Darnell Donerson, 57, and brother Jason King, 29 were displayed to jurors on Tuesday.

After the testimony, Jennifer and Julia returned to the courtroom for the remainder of the day.

Jennifer Hudson is on her way to seek justice more than three years since the death of her mother, brother and nephew.

On Monday, jury selection began in the trial of William Balfour, the man accused of murdering Darnell Donerson, Jason Hudson and 7-year-old Julian King. The Grammy winning singer, who is on the witness list, is expected to attend regularly starting April 23.

Balfour, who was the estranged husband of Hudson's sister Julia, is accused of fatally shooting Hudson's mother and brother inside their Chicago home in 2008, while the body of Hudson's nephew was discovered three days later in an abandoned vehicle.

Balfour, who was also Julian's stepfather, has denied the charges and pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face a maximum life sentence.

Dreamgirls star Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan will sing a tribute to Whitney Houston at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards.

The "I Will Always Love You" singer was found dead Saturday in her Beverly Hills hotel room at the age of 48.

Although it hasn't been revealed which song Hudson and Khan will be performing, Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich said the following:

"It's too fresh in everyone's memory to do more at this time, but we would be remiss if we didn't recognize Whitney's remarkable contribution to music fans in general, and in particular her close ties with the Grammy telecast and her Grammy wins and nominations over the years."

Shortly after learning of Houston's death, Khan Tweeted, "I'm speechless ... I'm in shock right now. Just pray for her and the family."

Neil Portnow, Recording Academy President and CEO, released the following statement:

Six-time GRAMMY winner Whitney Houston was one of the world's greatest pop singers of all time who leaves behind a robust musical soundtrack spanning the past three decades. Her powerful voice graced many memorable and award-winning songs. A light has been dimmed in our music community today, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, fans and all who have been touched by her beautiful voice."

The Grammy Awards, with the Whitney Houston tribute, airs tonight on CBS.

Jennifer Hudson has revealed that she passed on the starring role in Precious because she didn't want to pack on the pounds!

In her new book, I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down, the 30-year-old singer/actress explains why she turned down the chance to play a character that might have earned her yet another Academy Award.

"I had [gained weight] with Effie [in Dreamgirls]," she writes (via Uptown Magazine, who snagged an excerpt from her novel). "And as much as I was moved by this film, I wanted to try a role that had nothing whatsoever to do with my weight." Adding that she didn't want to be pigeon-holed as the “big girl," Hudson's decision to pass on the role opened the doors for relatively unknown actress Gabourey Sidibe to take over, earning her an Oscar nod in 2009.

Over the years Hudson has dropped 80 pounds with the help of Weight Watchers, and she continues to serve as a spokeswoman for the company.

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And she got it for 1/2 the price!

American Idol alum Jennifer Hudson has just splashed out $2,795,000 for a 6 bed/7 bath mansion in the Chicago suburb of Burr Ridge -- a sweet bargain after the price was lowered from $4,200,000.

The three-story 12,000 square foot pad was custom built in 2007, and is located in the exclusive Highland Fields neighborhood and boasts two heated garages for up to 6 cars, a deluxe home theatre, two laundry rooms, heated floors, a floating staircase, a walk-out lower level, a third floor bonus room, formal living and dining rooms, a game room, an eat-in kitchen, and a finished walk-out basement.

Sounds like a home fit for an Oscar winner!

Jennifer Hudson has come a long way since her American Idol days!

The newly-slimmed down Oscar winner takes the opportunity to show off her sexy new bod in the video for her new singe, No One Gonna Love You, and she looks HOT!

The video features a love sick Hudson (scantily clad in sexy lingerie) who is tortured by her boyfriend's lack of interest in their relationship, but she just can't let him go!

Fortunately, life doesn't imitate art for the Dreamgirls star. She's happily married to Harvard Law graduate turned WWE wrestler, David Otunga. The pair has a son, David Daniel, who turns two this August.

Hudson recently told Rap-Up of her sexy new vid: "This is the first time that I've had the chance to dance. It was probably the part I anticipated the most and I actually had a lot of fun. I thought I accomplished it. You be the judge."

As always Miss Hudson, you killed it!

The women brought out the big guns when it came to fashion at the 2nd annual amfAR Inspiration Gala at The Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Jennifer Hudson looked beyond svelte in her little white dress, while Heidi showed off her sexy back in a gorgeous baby blue gown.

Courtney Love and Ke$ha also glammed it up in black and white. Ms. Love cleans up well!

The annual event is dedicated to supporting AIDS research, treatment education and HIV prevention So far, the organization has invested more than $300 million in AIDS related programs and research.

Find out which two guys were honored at last night's event ... after the jump.