Expert: Having Hudson testify 1st was shrewd

CHICAGO (AP) — A former federal prosecutor says it was shrewd of prosecutors to call Jennifer Hudson as their first witness in the trial of the man accused of killing her family.

Chicago attorney Phil Turner says the move "rivets the jury."

The singer and actress cried Monday while testifying at the trial of William Balfour. Prosecutors allege he killed her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew in October 2008 after flying into a jealous rage over his estranged wife, who is Hudson's sister.

Turner said Hudson now can sit through the rest of the trial, in full view of the jury. Witnesses typically are not allowed to watch trials until they have testified.

Balfour has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder.