Troubled ex-NBA star Jayson Williams is heading to jail. The former St. John’s center, who played with the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Nets, reportedly accepted a plea deal that could come with a three-year sentence. The agreement would resolve a case that began in February 2002, when Williams – after a night of drinking – fatally blasted limousine driver Costas (Gus) Christofi inside the hoopster’s New Jersey mansion. Witnesses testified that Williams attempted to cover up the crime by placing the weapon in the dead man’s hands and asking them to lie about the killing. Williams has insisted the shooting was an accident. The Associated Press reported Williams will plead guilty Friday to aggravated assault, and must serve a minimum of 18 months in prison. The maximum term would be three years.
Williams, 41, was scheduled to begin a retrial on reckless manslaughter charges in January. His previous trial in 2004 ended with a jury acquitting Williams of the most serious charge, aggravated manslaughter. The panel convicted him of cover-up charges, but failed to reach a decision on reckless manslaughter. The deal that would land Williams behind bars is the latest blow to the gregarious New Yorker. His father, Elijah Joshua “E.J.” Williams, died Nov. 10 and was just buried last Saturday in South Carolina. In September, Williams wept in a Manhattan courtroom and insisted he was flat broke. His wife – who is divorcing him – was seeking $200,000 in back maintenance and child support.
Williams earned $87 million playing for the Nets.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
