Tastey
02-17-2002, 08:26 AM
ALEXANDRIA TOWNSHIP, N.J., 12:07 p.m. EST February 17, 2002 - TRENTON, N.J. -- A lawyer for former Nets player Jayson Williams has denied reports that the basketball star was playfully flipping his shotgun when a limousine driver was shot and killed at his estate.
"There is no basis in fact for any allegation that Mr. Williams was involved in any horseplay with a gun," Joseph Hayden told The Star-Ledger of Newark for Sunday's editions. "There was no purposeful or reckless behavior on Mr. Williams' part."
Authorities have said there are no immediate plans to make an arrest in the fatal shooting of Costas Christofi early Thursday morning, but may file charges in the future.
Acting Hunterdon County Prosecutor Steven C. Lember has not said who is believed to be the shooter. He has said Williams, his brother Vincent and about 10 guests were in the house at the time.
The Star-Ledger and The Record of Hackensack reported that unidentified law enforcement sources told them Williams accidentally fired the gun.
Williams' agent, Sal DiFazio, has characterized The Star-Ledger's description of the events that day as "a very accurate portrayal of where everything is, as far as I know." He declined further comment and referred questions to Williams' lawyer, Joseph Hayden.
Hayden has said Christofi's death was an "unfortunate accident." He said Williams was giving his guests a tour of his home when Christofi was shot.
Hayden could not be reached for comment Sunday; no one answered the phone at his law firm. A message left at Williams' home was not immediately returned.
Lember said he would make the decision whether to file charges after reviewing police reports and transcripts of witness interviews.
Authorities were called to Williams' 65-acre estate early Thursday and found Christofi, 55, in a bedroom with a shotgun wound to his chest. Authorities have said the shotgun appeared to be one of several owned by the former basketball star.
Investigators quickly ruled out suicide, and the death was classified as suspicious after a preliminary review by the medical examiner.
Christofi, of Washington Borough, had been hired by Williams 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.
The 40-room mansion has an indoor pool, bowling alley and movie theater, as well as a skeet-shooting range and par 3 golf hole.
The 6-foot-10 Williams was once among the NBA's best rebounders, but leg injuries ended his basketball career. He retired in 1999 and now works for NBC Sports as an NBA studio analyst.
"There is no basis in fact for any allegation that Mr. Williams was involved in any horseplay with a gun," Joseph Hayden told The Star-Ledger of Newark for Sunday's editions. "There was no purposeful or reckless behavior on Mr. Williams' part."
Authorities have said there are no immediate plans to make an arrest in the fatal shooting of Costas Christofi early Thursday morning, but may file charges in the future.
Acting Hunterdon County Prosecutor Steven C. Lember has not said who is believed to be the shooter. He has said Williams, his brother Vincent and about 10 guests were in the house at the time.
The Star-Ledger and The Record of Hackensack reported that unidentified law enforcement sources told them Williams accidentally fired the gun.
Williams' agent, Sal DiFazio, has characterized The Star-Ledger's description of the events that day as "a very accurate portrayal of where everything is, as far as I know." He declined further comment and referred questions to Williams' lawyer, Joseph Hayden.
Hayden has said Christofi's death was an "unfortunate accident." He said Williams was giving his guests a tour of his home when Christofi was shot.
Hayden could not be reached for comment Sunday; no one answered the phone at his law firm. A message left at Williams' home was not immediately returned.
Lember said he would make the decision whether to file charges after reviewing police reports and transcripts of witness interviews.
Authorities were called to Williams' 65-acre estate early Thursday and found Christofi, 55, in a bedroom with a shotgun wound to his chest. Authorities have said the shotgun appeared to be one of several owned by the former basketball star.
Investigators quickly ruled out suicide, and the death was classified as suspicious after a preliminary review by the medical examiner.
Christofi, of Washington Borough, had been hired by Williams 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.
The 40-room mansion has an indoor pool, bowling alley and movie theater, as well as a skeet-shooting range and par 3 golf hole.
The 6-foot-10 Williams was once among the NBA's best rebounders, but leg injuries ended his basketball career. He retired in 1999 and now works for NBC Sports as an NBA studio analyst.