Chicago ( CNN ) -- More than three years after actress and singer Jennifer Hudson 's mother , brother and nephew were killed , jury selection began Monday in the murder trial of the man charged in their deaths . William Balfour , the estranged husband of Hudson 's sister Julia , is accused of fatally shooting Hudson 's mother and brother inside their Chicago home in October 2008 . The body of Hudson 's 7-year-old nephew , Julian King , was found three days later inside an abandoned vehicle . Balfour , who was also Julian 's stepfather , has also been charged with one count of home invasion . About 150 people are candidates to be among the 12 jurors or six alternates in the case . The process of whittling down this pool began Monday morning in a Chicago courtroom , and by mid-afternoon , nine jurors had been selected while several others had been excused for hardship reasons . Judge Charles Burns has said he hopes to have the jury finalized by Wednesday . Then there will be a break , with the opening statements in the case set for April 23 . The judge has told the would-be jurors that he expects the trial to last three to four weeks . Balfour was detained for questioning the day after the victims were found at the Chicago home . Authorities at the time said that they were holding Balfour for an unspecified parole violation , but he ended up being indicted for murder two months later . He has pleaded not guilty to the charges , and his lawyer has said in court there is no forensic evidence linking him to the killings . Prosecutors have portrayed Balfour as a jealous man who murdered three people in rage at the thought that his wife had a boyfriend . The deaths took place a year after Hudson , who rose to fame as a contestant on `` American Idol , '' won an Oscar for her role in the movie `` Dreamgirls . '' In a recent interview with CNN 's Piers Morgan , Hudson reflected on the life of her mother , Darnell Donerson . `` My mother was a very wise and strong person . I feel like she raised us well , and she prepared me well , and so that 's what I live by , '' she said . Hudson , who is on the witness list , is expected to attend the upcoming trial . Her career has continued to blossom and remain varied since her relatives ' deaths . Her recent milestones include penning a memoir detailing her struggles with her weight , being cast to play Nelson Mandela 's ex-wife Winnie in an upcoming movie , releasing a new album and singing a well-received tribute to Whitney Houston at the most recent Grammy awards in February . CNN 's Ted Rowlands in Chicago and Alan Duke in Los Angeles contributed to this report .
NEW : 12 jurors were selected by Monday morning ; Nine total are needed , plus 12 alternates . William Balfour is accused of fatally shooting Hudson 's mother , brother and nephew . Balfour , the estranged husband of Hudson 's sister , has denied the charges . Opening arguments are set for April 23 , and the trial may April 23 , the judge says .