Jennifer Hudson -- Jury Divided in Family Murder Trial

1:40 PM PT -- Imagine that ... just minutes after claiming they were "split," the jury HAS REACHED A VERDICT -- scheduled to be announced in 45 minutes.

2:20 PM PT -- Jennifer Hudson just arrived at court.

The jury in the trial of William Balfour -- the man accused of murdering Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother, and 7-year-old nephew back in 2008 -- just told the judge they're "split" ... unable to reach a verdict after days of deliberations.

A verdict was originally expected on Wednesday -- when the jury first retreated for deliberations -- but it's been two full days ... and still, they're stuck.

But the judge won't accept a hung jury ... yet ... and has ordered them to keep working toward a verdict.

31-year-old Balfour stands accused of the triple murder after allegedly flying into a blind and jealous rage over a balloon gift for Julia Hudson, Balfour's ex and Jennifer's sister.