Friend of suspect testifies in Hudson murder trial

A friend of the man accused of killing relatives of actress Jennifer Hudson testified Monday he saw the man with the gun authorities say was used in the murders.

Quincy Brown said he met William Balfour the summer before the murders and saw him with the .45-caliber weapon when they were playing cards with friends. Brown also said he saw the gun in Balfour’s Chrysler when the men exchanged cars for a day.

Under questioning by assistant public defender Amy Thompson, Brown said he shot the gun in the air before getting behind the wheel of Balfour’s car. Forensic investigators have testified the steering wheel cover in that car tested positive for gunshot residue.

Brown also testified he talked with the 30-year-old Balfour on Oct. 24, 2008. He said Balfour was in “panic” when he asked him to move his car to the West Side. Investigators found the auto less than a mile from the house where the bodies of Hudson’s mother and brother were found.

Brown, who is in prison on a federal gun conviction, testified Balfour told him his ex-wife was accusing him of the crimes. Brown said he asked Balfour if he committed the murders. He said Balfour answered, “It’s bigger than me.”

Balfour has denied gunning down 29-year-old Jason Hudson, 57-year-old Darnell Donerson and 7-year-old Julian King.