Neighbor testifies in Hudson triple murder trial

May 1, 2012 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- A neighbor testified Tuesday that he had helped Jennifer Hudson's brother cook cocaine into crack.

William Balfour is accused in the murders of the singer's brother, Jason Hudson; mother, Darnell Donnerson; and nephew, Julian King, 7. His defense has argued that Jason Hudson worked as drug dealer, which led to the triple murder in 2008.

On Tuesday, Hudson neighbor Reginald Jones told the jury that he was good friends with Jason and he had seen Balfour spying on Julia Hudson, Balfour's then wife, about two months before the murders. Prosecutors allege Balfour killed the three family members in a jealous rage.

Jones also said he would run errands and do chores for Jason, who ran a drug business out of the Hudson family's home in Englewood from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m., in exchange for cash and sometimes drugs. Under cross-examination, Jones said he once helped Jason cook cocaine into crack inside the Hudson house.

Another neighbor, who was 13 at the time of the murders, said she heard Balfour threaten Julia Hudson outside the home. The jury also heard from a woman who said that she heard gunshots on the morning of the murders, but didn't call police because gunshots were common in Englewood.

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local, sarah schulte

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