I suppose an O.J. joke would be inappropriate
Williams Is Acquitted on Manslaughter Charge
By ROBERT HANLEY and JOHN HOLL
OMERVILLE, N.J., April 30 — A jury today found the former New Jersey Nets star Jayson Williams not guilty of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a limousine driver at Mr. William's mansion. The jury could not reach a verdict on a charge of reckless manslaughter, but did convict Mr. Williams of four charges involving efforts to hinder the investigation.
The jury of eight women and four men reached a verdict on the fourth day of deliberations on the charges related to the killing of the driver, Costas Christofi, capping a three-month State Superior Court trial that had been plagued by delays and accusations of prosecutorial misconduct.
The jury deliberated on eight different charges, and acquitted Mr. Williams of three that carried the most severe sentences. They found him not guilty of possession of a weapon and aggravated assault, in addition to the charge of aggravated manslaughter, a charge that might have brought the former athlete a sentence of up to 30 years. The jury made no decision on one charge of reckless manslaughter.
The jury found Mr. Williams guilty of four charges involving hampering the investigation, which together carry a maximum sentence of 13 years in prison, officials said.
