Jayson Williams Acquitted on Manslaughter Charge
Former NBA Star Is Convicted on Four of Six Lesser Charges

By JEFFREY GOLD, AP SPORTS

SOMERVILLE, N.J. (April 30) -- Former NBA star Jayson Williams was acquitted Friday of aggravated manslaughter, the most serious charge against him, but was convicted of trying to conceal the shooting death of a limousine driver at Williams' mansion.

Williams, 36, was convicted on four of the six lesser charges, related to tampering with evidence in the death of Costas ''Gus'' Christofi, 55, who was killed by a shotgun blast as Williams handled the weapon. Collectively, the charges carry a maximum penalty of 13 years in prison.

But Williams would probably receive a sentence of less than five years, the maximum for the most serious count. No date was set for sentencing.

The jury said it could not agree on the charge of reckless manslaughter. A scheduling conference to determine a trial date on that charge was set for May 21.

The defense argued that the shooting was accidental, saying a malfunction in the gun's firing mechanism caused the weapon to go off. Prosecutors contended Williams was handling the shotgun so recklessly that it amounted to a crime.

The shooting happened Feb. 14, 2002, while Williams gave friends and members of the Harlem Globetrotters a tour of his mansion in Alexandria Township.

According to testimony, Williams, who had a skeet-shooting range on his 65-acre estate, took a loaded shotgun from a cabinet in the master bedroom. He turned, uttered an expletive at Christofi, possibly in jest, and then snapped the weapon shut, and it went off, according to testimony.

Christofi was struck in the chest and died within minutes. Williams dropped to his knees and wailed, ''Oh my God! Oh my God!'' and ''My life is over,'' according to witnesses.

What a sweet, wonderful country we live in. If you are a celeb or a sports star, you can just ease on back and do whatever you want. Hell, you write your own ticket. Ya wanna do drugs, drive drunk, rape small children, that's fantastic. It's all right before you. AND [are ya ready for the best part?], people will somehow find a way to think that you've overcome great odds. And if you're a shallow, self absorbed cretin; even better!:rolleyes:

Jayson Williams should be bent over a bunk in prison screaming for someone not to stick it in any further.

Wow, I wish I were a sports star. Killing people is perfectly legal for them. Ray Lewis, O.J. Simpson, now Jayson Williams; all involved with killing someone, and all get away with a mere slap on the wrist.

LOL@PNA42 saying Jayson should be bent over in prison screamin for someone not to stick it in his butt hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. It's amazing how entertainers always get a slap on the wrist when they do somethin wrong by the judicial system. Kobe Bryant is gonna get a slap on the wrist also, watch. Same thing goes for R Kelly & Michael Jackson.

What a joke.

and to think...ROBERT BLAKE IS STILL FREE.....SCOTT PETERSON IS OUT ON BAIL...ohh wait. those two did it on purpose with the intent on killing someone. Jason didn't plan it out like most killers you all are talking about. If he pointed that shotgun at the drivers face then you have made it clear..but a shotgun blast to the chest that he didn't aim is hardly calling him a murder. He killed someone but he is no O.J.

Originally posted by jekouptown
and to think...ROBERT BLAKE IS STILL FREE.....SCOTT PETERSON IS OUT ON BAIL...ohh wait. those two did it on purpose with the intent on killing someone. Jason didn't plan it out like most killers you all are talking about. If he pointed that shotgun at the drivers face then you have made it clear..but a shotgun blast to the chest that he didn't aim is hardly calling him a murder. He killed someone but he is no O.J.

Yeah, but he still killed someone. He pointed a loaded gun at someone. He is still responsible for that mans death.

There is no argument that Jason Williams did not deliberatly set out to murder that man, but he acted in a reckless manner and should be responsible for his actions.

He was charged with aggravated manslaughter, not murder, and I think he should have been convicted.

The minute he killed the poor guy, he dropped to his knees crying that HIS life was over. From the testimony of those there that night, he was treating the limo driver like crap. Rich arrogant loser.

He should be held accountable for the outcome..that mans death. But, lets not consider him a jerk or a looser. Before this he was everyones fun boy. Now that there has been an ACCIDENT at his mansion people have started to drink the HATORADE. Give the guy a break. I am sure that if GUS had children they will be compensated for their loss. I also realize that there is no money that can replace a loved one but come on. I repeat..he didn't buy the shotgun or the shells for the purpose of one day killing or shooting a human. It was for hunting. We all show our new items to our guest. The next time you demonstrate your new microwave or blender just remember...something can fly off killing someone by accident and SO board will consider you a rich looser despite what you have done in your past...he is not ray lewis. He has never been arrested. He is know for drinking socially. Showing off is not just a rich trait...:rolleyes:

If a guest died in my house, I wouldn't stage it as a suicide and cover it up. Yeah, I consider him a big loser. The limo driver rolled his eyes at Jayson, who was drunk after a night of partying. Then, the 'accident' occurred. It was his reckless behavior that killed that poor man.

This isn't the loser's first incident with guns. The creep shot and killed his dog and also had his gun go off at Meadowlands.

I think that anyone who defends this killing, which was caused by an arrogant drunk showing off, would feel much different if one of their loved ones was on the receiving end of that shotgun blast.

Now that he's free, I think loserboy shouldn't be allowed near guns.

http://www.courttv.com/trials/jaysonwilliams/021304_ctv.html

he should not get a permit.
I can honestly say..that if an accident happened in my presence..I am not going to sit here and act holy'r than thou and say my first reaction is "someone call the police". Self preservation is the first human instinct and thats a fact.!

Janice i just read on Yahoo.com in the NBA section yesterday that Jayson Williams made a bet with his former teammate Dwayne Schintzius that he would kill his dog. So Jayson killed his dog & he told Dwayne to get rid of the dog. Dwayne didn't feel like gettin rid of the dog so Jayson pointed his shotgun at Dwayne & said if u don't get rid of it, you're gonna be next. Ain't that somethin?