Oscar-winner and singer Jennifer Hudson has testified in the trial in Chicago of the man accused of shooting three members of her family in 2008.
The singer, who was on the witness list, became the unexpected first witness to be called on by the prosecution in the case against William Balfour, who is accused of killing her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.
"I told her over and over again to not marry him," said an emotional Jennifer, reports E! Online. "We did not like how he treated her."
Asked later if she was ever friends with Balfour, whom she knew from junior high school, Hudson answered with disgust.
"Never," she said firmly. "I tried to keep my distance from William Balfour."
Jennifer broke down in tears when the prosecutor asked her about the last time she saw her family, which she revealed was at a surprise visit a week before they were murdered.
She said: "It was my mother, my brother, my sister and my dog. I was so surprised. The whole family is here. That was the last time I saw them. Thank God I had the opportunity."
In the end, she answered questions for only about 30 minutes, the judge pausing to offer her time to compose herself and urging her, at one point, to speak up and slow down.
Balfour has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
