Jennifer Hudson's estranged brother-in-law William Balfour, who was arrested this week in the October murders of her mother, brother and seven-year-old nephew, has been formally charged with the crimes after getting arrested yesterday.

He has been charged with three counts of first degree murder and one count of home invasion. Cops say Balfour hasn't confessed to the crime, despite prior reports he did. But they also say he has "talked about the investigation."

The 27-year-old is expected to held without bail at a hearing tomorrow, but says he "did not commit these crimes," his lawyer was quoted as saying.

"The delay between the crimes and his actual arrest shows weakness in the case," Joshua Kutnick said, despite Balfour being a person of interest from the start.

"This case is not a strong case against William. He is a convenient suspect."

William Balfour was transferred from an Illinois state prison – where he has been held on suspicion of a parole violation – back into police custody.

Jennifer Hudson's mother Darnell Donerson, 57, brother Jason Hudson, 29, and Balfour's own stepson, Julian King, 7, were slain last month. Balfour is married to, but separated from Hudson's sister Julia, the mother of Julian.