Jayson Williams Offers Condolences

Jayson Williams broke his silence on a fatal shooting at his mansion to offer condolences to the victim's family.

But the former NBA All-Star said his lawyer advised him not to publicly discuss the Feb. 14 shooting that killed limousine driver Costas Christofi and left Williams facing a second-degree manslaughter charge.

"Me and my wife would like to send out our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Christofi's family," a subdued Williams said after making his first court appearance on the charge Monday.

Williams did not enter a plea and is not required to do so until a grand jury hands down an indictment. But his attorney's brief statement after the hearing left no question where they stand.

"He is innocent of these charges," Joseph Hayden said.

During the hearing at the Hunterdon County courthouse, Superior Court Judge Ann R. Bartlett informed Williams of his rights.

Williams did not speak; his attorney waived a reading of the criminal complaint, saying they had received a copy.

Christofi's neighbor and longtime friend, Joseph Armstrong, said he felt compelled to attend the hearing. He watched as Williams delivered his message to Christofi's family.

"I just want to make sure it stays focused on who the victim was and what happened," Armstrong said. "It's a tragedy for everyone."

Christofi, 55, of Washington Borough, was hired to drive Williams' friends from a Harlem Globetrotters show in Bethlehem, Pa., to a restaurant, and then to Williams' estate 30 miles northwest of Trenton.

The limousine driver, described by many as a sports fan, was apparently invited inside for a tour of the 40-room mansion, Acting Hunterdon County Prosecutor Steven C. Lember said.

Lember has said the shooting occurred less than an hour after the group arrived at Williams' home. The 911 call came in at 2:54 a.m.

Since then, many questions have surrounded Christofi's death, which prosecutors say was first reported as a suicide by Williams' brother.

Neither the prosecution nor the defense has described the events leading to the shooting or named those inside the mansion at the time.

"That information will undoubtedly become available should this come to a trial," Lember said.

Not including Williams and Christofi, a dozen people were at the mansion when the shooting occurred, prosecutors said. They included Williams' brother, four Globetrotters and two children.

Lember has said there were reasons to believe that alcohol "is something we need to look into," but will not say whether Williams was drinking before the shooting.

The 6-foot-10 Williams was among the NBA's best rebounders until leg injuries forced him to retire from the New Jersey Nets in 2000.

He started working this year as an NBA studio analyst for NBC Sports, but the network said last week that Williams will not appear on the air until the charges against him are resolved.

By Sheila Hotchkin