Williams' hearing put off indefinitely
NEWARK, N.J. -- Retired NBA star Jayson Williams will not be in a New Jersey courtroom Friday to enter a plea in the 2002 shooting death of a driver.
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A judge has indefinitely delayed a hearing in Somerville in which Williams was expected to plead guilty. No reason was given.
A person with knowledge of the case told The Associated Press on Thursday that Williams would plead guilty to aggravated assault in the death of Costas Christofi that would send him to prison for at least 18 months and up to three years.
Williams has been awaiting a second trial for reckless manslaughter. He was acquitted of aggravated manslaughter in 2004 but convicted of covering up the shooting at his central New Jersey mansion.
In a phone interview with ESPN on Friday morning, Williams' wife said her husband has not committed to a plea deal.
"I spoke with Jayson throughout the night and morning. He got very little sleep. He told me this morning that he will not be in New Jersey today and he has not signed any offer, but he is taking this very, very seriously," said Tanya Young Williams, who filed for divorce in February but says she is in frequent contact with Jayson.
"Once he gets more clarity from his attorneys, he and I will have a discussion, he will speak with his mother and he will take the necessary next steps. Jayson is still in South Carolina dealing with the loss of his dad emotionally, as well as addressing the necessary estate issues."
Williams' father died Nov. 10 in South Carolina and was laid to rest last weekend.
NEWARK, N.J. -- Retired NBA star Jayson Williams will not be in a New Jersey courtroom Friday to enter a plea in the 2002 shooting death of a driver.
<INLINE1>
A judge has indefinitely delayed a hearing in Somerville in which Williams was expected to plead guilty. No reason was given.
A person with knowledge of the case told The Associated Press on Thursday that Williams would plead guilty to aggravated assault in the death of Costas Christofi that would send him to prison for at least 18 months and up to three years.
Williams has been awaiting a second trial for reckless manslaughter. He was acquitted of aggravated manslaughter in 2004 but convicted of covering up the shooting at his central New Jersey mansion.
In a phone interview with ESPN on Friday morning, Williams' wife said her husband has not committed to a plea deal.
"I spoke with Jayson throughout the night and morning. He got very little sleep. He told me this morning that he will not be in New Jersey today and he has not signed any offer, but he is taking this very, very seriously," said Tanya Young Williams, who filed for divorce in February but says she is in frequent contact with Jayson.
"Once he gets more clarity from his attorneys, he and I will have a discussion, he will speak with his mother and he will take the necessary next steps. Jayson is still in South Carolina dealing with the loss of his dad emotionally, as well as addressing the necessary estate issues."
Williams' father died Nov. 10 in South Carolina and was laid to rest last weekend.
