Former NBA Star Jayson Williams Sentenced To Five Years In Prison In Fatal Shooting Case

Posted on: February 26, 2010 at 10:18 p.m.

Los Angeles violent crimes defense attorney teams work with individuals who committed aggravated offense as well as those who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. While some defendants may have committed premeditated crimes, others simply acted out emotion or some other "unplanned" attitude. A Los Angeles violent crimes defense attorney can help you sort through your issues and get you the legal representation you need.

NBA star Jayson Williams was sentenced to five years in prison Tuesday for fatally shooting a limo driver in 2002, ending an eight-year legal battle by tearfully apologizing to the victim's family.

The long legal battle began in 2002 after Williams shot and killed Costas Christofi, a limo driver, on February14, 2002. Williams and several of his friends were driven from a local restaurant in Hunterdon County to Williams’ mansion by 55-year-old Christofi. Williams showed his friends his gun collection in his bedroom and while he showed them a double-barreled 12-gauge shotgun, Williams said that he failed to check the safety mechanism and only inspected one of the barrels before snapping it shut. The gun then fired and the bullet struck Christofi in the chest, leaving him dead.

Witnesses at the scene said that Williams tried covering up what had happened by placing the gun in Christofi’s hands and telling witnesses to lie about what happened that night.

Last month, Williams pleading guilty to aggravated assault in the death of Christofi.

Judge Edward Coleman sentenced Williams to five years in prison with the potential for Williams to be released as early as summer 2011.

In court Tuesday, a tearful Williams turned and apologized to Andrea Adams, Christofi's sister, saying, "There's not a day I wake up that I don't feel sorry for what I did to Mr. Christofi and that I put you through this."

Williams paid Christofi's family more than $2 million in 2003 to settle a wrongful death lawsuit.

Williams had been free on bail since being charged in 2002, but was taken from the courtroom in handcuffs to begin serving his sentence.

Williams, who turned 42 on Monday, played nine seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets before a leg injury forced him to retire in 2000. He was in the second year of a six-year, $86 million contract when he retired.

This long and arduous trial has taken an emotional toll on all of those involved and Williams now stands to serve a minimum of 18 months in prison. If you have been charged of a Los Angeles violent crime, you need a professional and knowledgeable Los Angeles violent crimes defense attorney team on your side. The Los Angeles violent crime defense attorney team at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP has more than 50 years of courtroom experience and will fight on your behalf to protect your rights in court.

Be sure to contact the Los Angeles violent crimes defense attorney team immediately at 1-877-781-1570 after you have been arrested or charged with a Los Angeles violent crime. You can also visit our website at www.keglawyers.com for more information on Los Angeles violent crimes and how we can help you in your time of need.

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Former NBA Star Jayson Williams Sentenced To Five Years In Prison In Fatal Shooting Case

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