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ABC News' Alex Perez and Suzan Clarke report:

A jury has been selected for the trial of the man accused of murdering singer/actress Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew.

Prosecutors say William Balfour brutally murdered 57-year-old Darnell Donerson, Hudson's mother; 29-year-old Jason Hudson, her brother; and 7-year-old Julian King, her nephew, in October 2008 in Chicago.

Balfour, the estranged husband of the actress' sister Julia Hudson, was charged with three counts of first degree murder and one count of home invasion. He has pleaded not guilty.

Balfour had been on parole after spending nearly seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possession of a stolen vehicle.

The trial is set to begin April 23.

The jury pool and alternates comprise 10 women and 8 men. The judge has asked them not to watch the award-winning actress and singer's live performance on "American Idol" Thursday.

Hudson got her start on the show, and she is scheduled to perform a new single. Judge Charles Burns has also asked jurors not to watch or read any news about Hudson prior to start of the testimony, the Associated Press reported.

Jennifer Hudson, 30, is expected to attend the trial every day.

"I think she's made the personal decision that justice and family support far outweigh any bit of privacy that she would give up to be there for the people she loves," publicist and ABC News consultant Howard Bragman said.

Hudson's name appears on a list of 300 potential witnesses who could be called to testify.

The prospect of having to "talk about the most horrible things anyone can imagine is just having to relive a personal hell," Bragman added.