Ex-New Jersey Net All-Star Jayson Williams was charged yesterday with the reckless manslaughter of a limo driver – then forked over eight weapons, his passport and a $250,000 bail check for his temporary freedom.
The suddenly quick spin of the wheels of justice came after a nine-day investigation of the Feb. 14 shotgun slaying of Costas Christofi, 55, at Williams’ Alexandria Township mansion.
Although a criminal complaint contained little detail of how the tragedy unfolded, acting Hunterdon County Prosecutor Steven Lember Proclaimed, “We are getting closer to the full truth.”
The NBC Sports commentator, wearing a gray suit and accompanied by two men, sneaked through a back entrance into state police barracks in Kingwood Township and then spent 90 minutes being booked, fingerprinted and photographed before posting a check as bond.
He also gave up seven shotguns, a handgun and his passport to ensure he doesn’t flee the country.
The somber Williams then dashed into a green SUV and was driven away. His next court date is March 4. His lawyer, Joseph Hayden, said he is confident the star would be exonerated.
“The death of Mr. Christofi was a tragic accident, but it was an accident,” he declared.
According to the complaint, Williams was the only person near Christofi when a 12-gauge double-barrel shotgun went off, and was seen “handling the loaded weapon in a reckless manner when the weapon discharged.”
Lember said investigators are trying to determine if Williams had been drinking that night. He said he’ll probably present all his evidence to a grand jury in several months.
“I agree [with Hayden] it was tragic and it may even have been an accident. But at base, every reckless manslaughter is an accident,” Lember said.
He added that said authorities want to interview some witnesses again. Christofi’s death was initially reported as a suicide, but later ruled a homicide.
“Witnesses were not forthright at the beginning of this case,” Lember said. “They should tell us what happened. If they do, they have nothing to be concerned about.”
Williams’ brother and 11 other guests, including four players from the Harlem Globetrotters and a 14-year-old and 6-year-old, were at the house the night of the shooting.
Published reports have alleged an inebriated Williams was twirling the shotgun when it discharged. Lember would say only that Christofi bled to death.
“I had it described [to me] that if that shot had been fired . . . in the entranceway in an emergency room, [Christofi] still would have died,” the prosecutor said.
Christofi’s nephew, Chris Adams, said relatives were relieved that Williams surrendered and was charged as planned.
“Now they’ve charged him, so that means they believe he did it,” said Adams, 35, of North Plainfield. “It puts us [at] ease a little bit that they have the person who shot my uncle. Now justice has to be served.”
Williams’ status as a broadcaster remains up in the air. A statement on his future is expected from NBC today.