By Antracia Moorings

Trial Set for Hudson Family Killer: The trial for the man accused of killing three members of Jennifer Hudson’s family is set to begin this spring in Chicago. Cook County Judge Charles Burns decided to begin jury selection on April 9 in the trial of William Balfour. Balfour, the estranged husband of Jennifer Hudson’s sister,

Julia, is charged with first-degree murder in the October 2008 slayings of Hudson’s mother, brother and nephew. Prosecutors allege the suspect shot her family in a jealous rage because Julia Hudson was dating another man.

The Academy Award-winning actress has said that her fiancé David Otunga saved her life on the day of the murders by calling her beforehand and inviting her to go to Florida with him instead of going to her mother’s house in Illinois where the killings occurred.

The Return of Sparkle: Jordin Sparks will be appearing in the remake of 1976’s “Sparkle” alongside one of her biggest idols, Whitney Houston. “She was so cool and very motherly toward me,” says the former American Idol winner, 22, who marks her film debut in the remake of a 1976 movie that originally starred Philip Michael Thomas, Lonette McKee and Irene Cara. “If I ever looked like I needed something, here she came saying ‘Are you okay?’”

The legendary singer is also happy to have a part in a film like this. “Part of the fun of making this movie is definitely the costumes and the hairstyles,” Houston also told People. “The movie is set in 1963, and we had a great wardrobe, hair and makeup person and I loved wearing the outfits.” The film, which also stars Derek Luke, is all about the challenges the group of sisters faced once they made it big. It’s due Aug. 10.

Songwriting with a Purpose: The Associated Press is reporting that Mary J. Blige will write a song for a new documentary focusing on sexual assault in the U.S. military. The R&B singer was at the Sundance Film Festival Friday for the premiere of “The Invisible War,” in which her song “Need Someone” already is heard over the closing credits. Producer Amy Ziering said that Blige, 41, would contribute an original song for the movie, which looks at the experiences of men and women who are attacked by their military colleagues and the difficulty of prosecuting such crimes. The song will follow up her original ditty for DreamWorks’ “The Help,” which features her singing “The Living Proof,” a Golden Globe nominee this year for best original song.

Briefly: Veteran actress Loretta Devine has joined Lifetime’s new drama “The Client List” as a series regular, reports Deadline.com. Based on the network’s 2010 original movie, the series stars Jennifer Love Hewitt as Riley, a Texas housewife who after being deserted by her husband ends up running a massage parlor that serves as a front for a call-girl service. Devine will play the parlor’s owner ... Aretha Franklin--who announced Jan. 3 that she and her “forever friend” William ‘Willie’ Wilkerson would wed this summer-- released a statement this week with a change of plans. “Regretfully, To Our Friends and Supporters: Will and I have decided we were moving a little too fast, and there were a number of things that had not been thought through thoroughly," said Franklin, 69. “There will be no wedding at this time.” … Dr. Conrad Murray will not have to pay restitution after prosecutors conferred with Michael Jackson’s parents and attorneys for his estate and children. Murray would also have been liable for his funeral costs as well, which totaled more than $1.8 million.

Finally: LL Cool J will host the 2012 Grammy Awards, marking the first time in seven years there will be an official host. The rapper and NCIS: Los Angeles star has hosted the live Grammy nominations concert show each year since 2008.