Chicago Judge Releases Jennifer Hudson's Sister's 911 Call

After allowing its replay in open court last week, a Chicago judge has released Jennifer Hudson's sister's recorded 911 call from the night three family members were murdered, the Associated Press reports.

Cook County Judge Charles Burns on Monday obliged the request by The Chicago Tribune, Sun-Times Media and the AP that he release the tape, but reminded jurors in his ruling that they've been ignored not to consume media reports on William Balfour's ongoing first-degree murder trial. Burns added that he didn't believe releasing the recording would jeopardize Balfour's due process.

As a dispatcher tries calming Julia Hudson to get her address on Chicago's South Side, Julia says "Oh my God...Somebody's killed my mother...She's on the floor and I see blood coming from her head." Balfour allegedly murdered the "American Idol" runner-up and 2007 "Dreamgirls" Oscar-winner's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew in October 2008 in a jealous rage over his estranged wife Julia's new boyfriend.

"Where's my brother at? What happened?" Julia continued, adding that she'd just come home from work to a bullet hole in the front door. "I don't know where [her son, Jennifer's nephew] Julian is or nothing and I'm here by myself."

Jennifer was the first witness called last week as the trial opened, though she was not in the courtroom to hear opening statements. The singer and actress identified Balfour in open court, and claimed that Balfour had openly threatened violence against her sister's family if she ever tried to end their marriage.

"If you ever leave me, I'm going to kill you, but I'm going to kill your family first," prosecutor James McKay claimed in his opening statement Balfour had told Julia.