(11 Jan 2010) HEADLINE: Former NBA star pleads guilty to accidental killing
CAPTION: Former NBA star Jayson Williams, his personal life in shambles, took responsibility for accidentally shooting his limousine driver to death eight years ago by pleading guilty Monday to assault and agreeing to serve at least 18 months in prison. (Jan. 11)
[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE]
NB. THIS IS A VOICEOVER TRANSCRIPT, NOT A FULL SHOT LIST.
(Somerville, NJ)
Former NBA basketball star Jayson Williams has pled guilty to accidentally killing his limousine driver.
He did not say anything as he left a New Jersey courthouse Monday.
But his lawyer said it was a new beginning for his troubled client.
(Joseph Hayden, Defense Attorney)
"It''s clear that today''s events in court speak for themselves, and they bring about closure for all concerned. Today is the first step in moving toward full closure."
Under a EDITdeal, Williams pled guilty to a lesser charge of aggravated assault.
He faces between 18 months and five years in prison, and will not be eligible for parole until serving at least 18 months.
During an earlier trial in which Williams was acquitted of some charges, witnesses said the former Nets player was showing off a shotgun in his bedroom, when he snapped the weapon shut, and it fired, killing limousine driver Costas Christofi.
He then put the gun in the dead man''s hands and told them to lie about what they saw.
Christofi''s family left court today without saying speaking to reporters.
Williams earlier paid 2 million dollars edit to settle a wrongful death lawsuit.
(Ted Shaffrey, The Associated Press)
"This caps a long legal saga for Williams here in New Jersey. The crime happened back in 2002 and he spent years fighting the case but now he has legal problems outside of New Jersey, as well."
Among other run-ins with the law in recent times, just last week Williams was arrested for driving drunk and crashing his car in New York.
Williams father died in November, and his wife has divorced him.
Ted Shaffrey, The Associated Press, Somerville, New Jersey
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