Jennifer Hudson did not hear the opening statements at the trial of the man accused of killing her mother, brother and nephew. The Oscar-winning actress and singer attended the first day of the trial of William Balfour at the Cook County courtroom in Chicago today, but did not listen to the statement, court spokesperson Terry Sullivan confirmed. Her partner David Otunga, however, sat in the fourth row to hear the case.

Balfour is charged with three counts of first-degree murder relating to the 2008 killings, with prosecutors claiming a gift of balloons sent to Jennifer's sister Julia Hudson threw him into a jealous rage, causing him to use a .45 caliber handgun to kill 57-year-old Darnell Donerson, 29-year-old Jason Hudson and Julia's son Julian King, whose body was found three days later. There are no known witnesses to the killing, and despite prosecutors claiming physical evidence of gunshot residue found on the wheel of his SUV, defense says it is circumstantial.

Balfour allegedly threatened to kill members of the Hudson family at least two dozen times. If convicted of at least two of the murders, Balfour - who was on parole at the time of the deaths - would face a mandatory life sentence.

Talking about the murders previously, Jennifer revealed it was the power of prayer that helped get her through: "I prayed when I got up in the morning and prayed before I laid down at night. If I didn't, I'd wake up depressed. The day didn't go right."