Man questioned in Hudson case to stay jailed

updated 11:54 a.m. ET Nov. 10, 2008

JOLIET, Illinois - The convicted felon questioned in the killings of Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew is staying in prison after authorities say a witness reported seeing him with a gun.

During a 35-minute hearing in Joliet on Monday, authorities decided there's probable cause to hold William Balfour until a Dec. 3 hearing before the full Illinois Prisoner Review Board.

Board Chairman Jorge Montes says the witness reported seeing Balfour with a gun that matches the description of the .45 caliber weapon used to kill Hudson's family members.

No one has been charged in the shootings, but authorities have called Balfour a "person of interest."

He was out on parole for a 1999 attempted murder conviction at the time of the shootings.

Balfour is the estranged husband of Hudson's sister, Julia.

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