Defense in Hudson family slayings: Case not proved

The last word to jurors was left to McKay, whose voice soared as he walked up to the defense table and looked straight at Balfour, a one-time Gangster Disciple who spent nearly seven years in prison for attempted murder.

“Calling the defendant a dog is an insult to dogs!” McKay said.

McKay also lashed out at Thompson, who had finished her closing minutes earlier.

“I don’t know what the acoustics are like in this courtroom,” McKay said after pointing at Thompson. “But what in the world was she listening to here (during two weeks of testimony)?” he shouted.

After closing arguments, jurors took a break before returning to hear jury instructions. Deliberations could begin after that.

Balfour pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder. If convicted on all counts, he faces a mandatory life prison term.

Prosecutors presented weeks of testimony, starting with Jennifer Hudson. She told jurors about the last time she saw her three family members alive and spoke endearingly about her nephew.

The defense called just two witnesses _ two detectives who had testified earlier _ in a bid to suggest investigators botched the triple-homicide investigation.

Prosecution witnesses testified that Balfour threatened to kill the Hudson family dozens of times if Julia Hudson refused to reconcile with him.

Prosecutors say Balfour shot Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, in the living room of the Hudson family home Oct. 24, 2008, then shot Hudson’s 29-year-old brother, Jason Hudson, in the head as he lay in bed.

Balfour then allegedly abducted Julian and shot him as he lay behind a front seat of an SUV. His body was found in the abandoned vehicle miles away after a three-day search.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.