Jayson Williams limo driver shooting

Former NBA star Jayson Williams will serve at least 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault for accidentally killing a limo driver in 2002.

Williams, 41, was charged with manslaughter but pleaded guilty Monday in Somerville, NJ, to rely less on the death of Costas Christofi.

It will serve 18 months in prison – when he could be eligible for parole – and five years. Assault Charge has a minimum period of 18 months, because a weapon was involved.

Williams remained available during the meeting and most of the answer “yes” and “no” questions, but told the judge that he has full control of security gun before snapping closed.

“We look towards the gun muzzle was pointed out,” he said before to say that handling of the weapon was negligent.

Williams appeared in 25 stitches in his right eye, the result of an automobile accident last week.

Remains free on bail prior to sentencing on February 23.

A conviction on the reckless manslaughter charge would result in a minimum period of 10 years in prison.

At his trial in 2004, in connection with the shooting death, witnesses testified that he drank and showed a shotgun in his room, when he gave his gun and fired a close shot that struck Christofi in the chest. Also, Williams testified that the first weapon in the hands of the dead and told witnesses to lie about what happened.

The defense argued the shooting was an accident and that Williams panicked later.

Defense lawyers have also tried to get the case thrown out, citing a racial insult uttered by a researcher of white light Hunterdon County prosecutor during a meeting with other law enforcement officers.

Acquitted more serious charges but a jury deadlocked in a number of manslaughter.

Williams retired from the New Jersey Nets in 2000 after a decade in the NBA, unable to overcome a broken leg suffered a year ago. At the time, was the second year of six years, $ 86-US εκατομμύριο contract.

It was later NBA analyst for NBC, but was suspended after the shooting in 2002.

Drunk driving charge added to the woes Last week, Williams was charged with driving under the influence after the fall of the SUV into a tree in New York.

Black Williams Mercedes-Benz SUV turned into four lanes of oncoming traffic before closing on a tree in Manhattan. Police said Williams was alone in the passenger seat when officers arrived.

In 2009, the wife of former player, Tanya, filed for divorce, alleging substance abuse and physical and emotional cruelty, and police used a stun gun at him in a hotel in New York in April, after a friend said he acted suicidal.

Tanya Williams was in court Monday