Defense paints picture of remorse

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Defense lawyers described a distraught Jayson Williams calling for help and diving toward a limousine driver he accidentally shot to counter prosecutors' portrayal of the former basketball player cursing the other man and showing off with a shotgun.

In a brief filed Tuesday, the defense said prosecutors have given a one-sided account of the shooting and failed to refute arguments for dismissing manslaughter and other charges against Williams.

"What captures the moment was the remorse, the terrible feelings of Jayson Williams at the time of the shooting," said defense lawyer Billy Martin. "Mr. Williams, we believe, at times was crying, was concerned for the victim immediately following the shooting."

Prosecutors found the latest arguments similar to those made in the original motion to dismiss the indictment.

"We're confident that when the court reads the grand jury transcripts and legal arguments, that the motions will be denied," First Assistant Hunterdon County Prosecutor Katharine Errickson said.

A grand jury indicted Williams in May on a more serious manslaughter charge than the one he originally faced, tripling the maximum sentence. He could face nearly 45 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

The defense said prosecutors never mentioned the shooting's accidental nature, Williams' remorse or that Christofi would not have survived regardless of Williams' actions after the shooting.

"We believe that had a fair presentation been made to the grand jury, they would have concluded this was an accident and it's quite likely no charges would have been filed," Martin said.

The shooting occurred early Feb. 14 at Williams' Alexandria Township estate after he brought several guests home from a Harlem Globetrotters game. Two guests, Kent Culuko and John Gordnick, have pleaded guilty to tampering charges and agreed to testify against Williams.

The 34-year-old Williams was among the NBA's best rebounders when leg injuries forced his retirement from the New Jersey Nets in 2000. After the shooting, he was suspended from his job as an NBA analyst for NBC.

 

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