By Jennifer Golson/The Star-Ledger
HUNTERDON COUNTY - Former NBA star Jayson Williams is expected to appear in court Friday for a plea deal in the 2002 death of a limousine driver in Hunterdon County, according to people with knowledge of the case.
Williams, 41, was facing retrial for reckless manslaughter for shooting Costas "Gus" Christofi, 55, on Feb. 14, 2002, at the estate Williams owned in Alexandria Township.
Barring any last-minute developments, the plea hearing is scheduled for tomorrow before Superior Court Judge Edward Coleman in Somerville, sources said late last night.
Jayson Williams, seen here during a hearing to determine if racial bias tainted his original trial in 2004, is expected to appear Friday to accept terms of a plea deal in connection with the 2002 shooting death of driver Costas ''Gus'' Christofi.
The sources asked to remain anonymous, because they are not authorized to speak about the case.
Details of the plea deal could not be obtained last night, but the development comes as the state Attorney General’s Office prepares to take over the case at the request of Hunterdon County Prosecutor J. Patrick Barnes.
Full coverage of the Jayson Williams' trial
The trial was scheduled to begin in January.
Williams has insisted Christofi’s death was an accident, but the state has accused him of recklessly handling a gun that fired, killing Christofi.
He first went to trial in 2004, and jurors acquitted him of the most serious offense, aggravated manslaughter.
They convicted him of the charges related to the attempted cover-up, and reckless manslaughter was the only charge on which they could not agree.
The development also comes shortly after the loss of his father, Elijah Joshua "E.J." Williams, who died Nov. 10 of complications from several strokes.
Williams buried his father in South Carolina on Saturday, said longtime friend Akhtar Farzaie.
"He’s still at a point where he’s dealing with the loss of his father, who was his best friend," Farzaie said.
Previous coverage:
Oct. 16, 2009 - Despite racial slur, judge refuses to toss Jayson Williams' convictions
Oct. 14, 2009 - N.J. Attorney General's Office agrees to take over Jayson Williams prosecution
May 2004 - Williams to be re-tried on key charges
May 2004 - Ex-Net convicted of cover-up in limo driver death, acquitted of aggravated manslaughter charge
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