As a New Jersey grand jury indicted Jayson Williams yesterday on manslaughter charges that could net him 30 years in prison, the sister of the former NBA star’s alleged victim spoke out for the first time about her lost brother – and her faith that justice will be done.
“I’m relieved to know that finally we’re going to get justice,” said Andrea Adams, the sister of slain limo driver Costas “Gus” Christofi.
She was choking back emotions at the restaurant she runs in New Jersey after hearing the news that the celebrity who allegedly shot her brother will face even more serious charges than previously thought.
The former New Jersey Net All-Star center was indicted in Flemington, N.J., on charges of first-degree aggravated manslaughter for killing Christofi, whom Williams allegedly blasted while brandishing a 12-gauge shotgun at his mansion on Valentine’s Day.
The charge – which carries from 10 to 30 years in prison – is more serious than the second-degree manslaughter charges Hunterdon County prosecutors had previously filed.
In addition to the single count of aggravated manslaughter – and a lesser count of reckless manslaughter – Williams was also indicted yesterday on a count of aggravated assault for pointing a gun at Christofi.
Williams is also charged in connection with an effort to cover up the crime, including counts of hindering apprehension, fabricating evidence and tampering with both witnesses and evidence.
Williams allegedly tried to convince investigators that Christofi committed suicide that February night at his Alexandria Township estate, which the 55-year-old limo man had visited after driving the 6-foot-10 NBA star’s pals from a Harlem Globetrotters game.
Adams could never believe that her brother – a recovering drug addict who had overcome his demons to counsel others – could have killed himself.
“There was no way they were going to convince me it was suicide,” she said. “He loved to drive. He drove and counseled people at the same time.
“My brother was a very caring person. He like to help people,” she added.
“He was a jokester, a prankster, always looking for the bright side. He had problems in the past . . . but he overcame them.”
Allegedly in on the coverup were Williams’ workout buddies Kent Culuko and John Gordnick.
Culuko has already pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and is set to testify against Williams – while Gordnick was indicted along with Williams yesterday for blocking the police probe.
Yesterday, Williams lawyer Joseph Hayden proclaimed his client’s innocence.
“We remain confident that after a full exploration of the facts, the truth will show that the death of Mr. Christofi was a tragic accident but not a criminal event,” Hayden said.
Williams, who retired in 2000 and was recently dropped as an NBC basketball analyst, is free on $270,000 bail.
In March, he offered condolences to Christofi’s family, but Adams said she would not accept the olive branch.
“The only thing I can say about his apology when he went to court – [it] was too little too late.”
FACING THE RAP
Here are the charges in the indictment against ex-NBA star Jayson Williams, and the prison time he could face if convicted of each count:
* First-degree aggravated manslaughter, for allegedly “recklessly” shooting chauffeur Costas Christofi to death – 10 to 30 years
* Second-degree reckless manslaughter, which is a lesser charge for the same shooting – five to 10 years
* Fourth-degree aggravated assault, for allegedly pointing a gun at Christofi – up to 18 months
* Third-degree hindering apprehension, for allegedly working with two pals to make Christofi’s death look like a suicide – three to five years
* Third-degree tampering with a witness, for allegedly working with buddies John Gordnick and Kent Culuko to get their stories straight – three to five years
* 4th Degree Tampering with Evidence – 3 -5 years
* 4th Degree Fabricating Physical Evidence – 18 months