Judge says former NBA star Jayson Williams can be retried in shooting case
By: KRISTA LARSON - Associated Press | ∞
SOMERVILLE, N.J. -- Former NBA star Jayson Williams will be retried on a manslaughter charge in the shotgun slaying of a limousine driver at his mansion, a judge ruled Thursday.
Judge Edward Coleman denied requests by Williams' lawyers to dismiss the reckless manslaughter charge. But the judge barred prosecutors from mentioning the basketball player's attempted cover-up of the shooting when the case is retried.
The 36-year-old former New Jersey Nets star faces a retrial because of a mixed verdict delivered April 30. The jury acquitted Williams of the most serious offense, aggravated manslaughter, but deadlocked on the charge of reckless manslaughter. He was convicted of charges stemming from an attempt to conceal the shooting.
Prosecutors said Williams was handling the gun recklessly when it went off and killed Costas "Gus" Christofi, 55. The defense maintained the 2002 shooting was purely an accident.
Williams' lawyers had argued that double jeopardy prevented the former NBA star from being tried again for the shooting. But the judge disagreed.
The defense also contended that testimony about the cover-up would be irrelevant and prejudicial, and the judge agreed to bar evidence of Williams' conduct after the shooting.
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