CHICAGO, Dec. 3  -- A Chicago judge Wednesday denied bail to William Balfour, charged with killing three members of singer-actress Jennifer Hudson's family.

Balfour was charged Tuesday with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of home invasion in the October slayings of Hudson's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew. Balfour is the estranged husband of Hudson's sister Julia.

The Chicago Tribune said Balfour attorney Joshua Kutnick argued Wednesday the case against Balfour is circumstantial and largely based on the word of unreliable witnesses. Kutnick also said there were no witnesses to the crimes and no evidence tying Balfour to the gun believed to have been used in the triple homicide.

However, prosecutors countered that gunshot residue was found on the steering wheel of Balfour's car and cell-phone records show he was in the vicinity of the Hudson family home at the time of the killings, despite the fact he told police he was at home when they took place.

Sources also told the Tribune witnesses spotted Balfour in Jason Hudson's SUV the day of the slayings. Hudson's nephew was found dead in the vehicle several days after the bodies of Hudson's mother and brother were discovered in their home.

Balfour's girlfriend reportedly told police he confided in her he killed his in-laws. She also allegedly claimed she saw him with a gun that looked like the weapon officials said was used in the crimes. (UPI)