Death of limo driver at Williams estate ruled homicide

This can't be good. From suicide, to accidental, to homicide, somebody's screwed


http://sportsline.com/u/ce/multi/0,1329,5031986_54,00.html


<b>NEWARK, N.J. -- The fatal shooting of a limousine driver at the estate of former NBA player Jayson Williams has been ruled a homicide, the Hunterdon County medical examiner said Wednesday.

The driver, Costas Christofi, bled to death, mostly from internal injuries, acting prosecutor Steven Lember had said before Wednesday's announcement.

Williams has been distraught and sleepless since the 55-year-old limousine driver was shot at his estate last week, according to his wife.

Tanya Williams, who married the former New Jersey Nets star last year, was not at their Alexandria Township estate when Christofi was found dead in a bedroom Thursday. She rushed home, though, when her husband told her about it.

"As a family, we're going through the trauma," Tanya Williams told The Star-Ledger of Newark. "Jayson is a very emotional and sensitive person. He wears his emotion on his sleeve."

Published reports have said Jayson Williams was showing off his shotgun and flipping it around when it discharged. His lawyer has denied that Williams was involved in "any horseplay with a gun."

If charges are filed, they would rise no higher than reckless or aggravated manslaughter, Lember said.

"If we're assuming criminal liability at all -- and that's an assumption that's not supported by our investigation yet -- if I'm saying there's no murder, all that's left in New Jersey is manslaughter," he said.

Lember also said some witnesses may have misled investigators about the circumstances surrounding Christofi's death, but he refused to elaborate. About 10 people were at the home when the shooting occurred.

Williams had hired Christofi to take friends from a charity sporting event featuring the Harlem Globetrotters in Bethlehem, Pa., to a restaurant, and then to Williams' home, about 30 miles northwest of Trenton.

Williams has a skeet-shooting range on his property, and authorities have said a number of loaded weapons were found in the house.

Since the shooting, Williams has been taking long walks around his property with his father, E.J., who helped him build the house. His wife said they were comfortable with the progress of the investigation.

"I believe in God. I love my husband. I trust my attorney. I respect the professionalism of the prosecutor," Tanya Williams said. She also expressed sympathy for Christofi's family and friends, saying "we will definitely reach out" to those affected.

Jayson Williams, who was among the NBA's best rebounders before leg injuries ended his basketball career in 1999, now works for NBC Sports as an NBA studio analyst.

A spokeswoman for NBC Sports said no announcement has been made on whether Williams will be part of the next NBC basketball telecast March 3. </b>