A trial date has been set for the man accused of killing Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew.

Cook County Judge Charles Burns announced yesterday (19.01.12) that jury selection for William Balfour's trial will start on April and the testimony is expected to begin on April 23, three and a half years after the her relatives were killed, E! reports.

Balfour has been accused of killing Darnell Hudson Donerson, 57, Jason Hudson, 29, and seven-year-old Julian King, on October 24, 2008, but his attorneys have argued there is no forensic evidence linking him to the crime.

They also argue that Balfour - who is the estranged husband of Jennifer's sister Julia - was the "convenient" suspect.

He was indicted by a grand jury on three counts of murder, aggravated kidnapping and home invasion, but he has pleaded not guilty.

Following the incident, the brunette beauty sang at the 2009 Super Bowl and at the Grammys.

She recently told 'Dateline': "I felt as though I had to [perform].

"I could hear my brother's voice in my head, like, 'Is she ever going to sing again?' He'd always say, 'Knock it off, Jenny!' if I was discouraged about something. I could either sit here and mope around, or do what I know would make them proud."