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CNN Live At Daybreak

Jayson Williams Charged With Manslaughter

Aired February 26, 2002 - 05:06   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Trouble, yes, trouble for an ex- basketball star this morning. Jayson Williams, now a basketball analyst for NBC, has been charged with manslaughter in the shotgun death of a limousine driver at his New Jersey home.

CNN's Deborah Feyerick has details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Surrendering to New Jersey police, basketball star Jayson Williams was arrested, forced to turn in his passport and whatever guns he owned. Posting a quarter of a million dollars bail, paid in full, he left the police station and left the talking to his lawyer.

JOSEPH HAYDEN, WILLIAMS DEFENSE ATTORNEY: The death of Mr. Christofi was a tragic accident, but it was an accident.

FEYERICK: Costas Christofi, a limo driver chauffeuring Williams and his friends to dinner, then to Williams 40 room estate, died in the master bedroom just before 3:00 a.m. Valentine's Day. Cause of death, a gunshot to the chest and abdomen fired at intermediate range.

Witnesses told investigators Williams was handling the gun in a reckless manner and that Williams was the only one near the driver when the gun went off. Prosecutors charging Williams with second degree manslaughter.

STEVEN LEMBER, HUNTERDON COUNTY PROSECUTOR: At this point, I have no reason to believe that the defendant, Mr. Williams, intended to cause the death of Mr. Christofi.

FEYERICK: Williams, his brother, several players from the Harlem Globetrotters and two children were among the 14 guests touring the mansion. Investigators still don't know if Williams and his party had been drinking, a lab processing blood alcohol tests taken that night. The gun was found next to Christofi. Witness accounts of suicide gradually changing. Prosecutors still unclear what everyone saw.

LEMBER: We'd like everybody to come forward and to clear up some discrepancies in their statements.

FEYERICK: So far Williams not telling prosecutors his side of the story. Friends call the ex-New Jersey Nets rebounder and popular NBC sports commentator a fun-loving generous guy.

PAUL "DOC" NICELLI, FORMER COACH: He would see a homeless person and walk up and give him $100. You know, he'd just say hey, and the guy would look at him in shock.

FEYERICK (on camera): The prosecutor says it could take months before he's ready to present all his evidence to the grand jury, adding if Williams has evidence that will clear himself, he'll present that to the grand jury, as well. Reckless manslaughter carries a sentence of five to 10 years.

Deborah Feyerick, CNN, Flemington, New Jersey.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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