This story sounds like a plot from an Agatha Christie novel. The limo driver for former Nets star Jayson Williams was found shot dead at Williams' New Jersey mansion in one of the bedrooms. The death was initially deemed a suicide, but later reclassified as suspicious. Williams, his brother Vincent and about 10 other guests were in the house at the time of the shooting. I read that among the guests were some of the Harlem Globetrotters.
Colonel Mustard with the knife in the observatory? Or Professor Plum in the kitchen with the rope?
Full Version: The Jayson Williams Mystery
Whoa! Now Eyewitness News here in New York is reporting it was Jayson Williams who fired the fatal shot. No charges have been filed so far. They are investigating possible "horseplay". This could get very interesting!
Horseplay, eh? If that's the case, maybe it should be a crime to be stupid. I guess Jayson won't be working for NBC for a while.
Very bizarre and tragic. Williams now admits (or so the local--NJ/NY--media claim) that he was "under the influence of alcohol" when the incident occurs, and supposedly there are four witnesses who allege seeing him with the murder weapon, though no one is reported to have seen him shoot Christofi. It sounds like a party that got VERY out of hand--I really feel for the deceased limo driver....
Williams' career(s) as a sports commentator and team owner (he has a majority stake in a professional lacrosse team) may be in serious jeopardy. It's especially sad given that Williams has long had a reputation as one of the friendliest and most easygoing NBA players.
Williams' career(s) as a sports commentator and team owner (he has a majority stake in a professional lacrosse team) may be in serious jeopardy. It's especially sad given that Williams has long had a reputation as one of the friendliest and most easygoing NBA players.
Have you guys ever watched MTV's Cribs? They had a segment with Jayson Williams once; his house is HUGE, I mean we're talking the size of a shopping mall.
I hope the truth comes out and that it all works out for him. And the poor limo drivers family. *Sigh*
I hope the truth comes out and that it all works out for him. And the poor limo drivers family. *Sigh*
Jim, I've seen his "crib" on MTV as well and shopping mall is a very good analogy. Jayson has always been one of the good guys in the NBA and I'm really sorry to see this happen to him; even more so for the deceased and his family.
Looks like Williams will be charged with manslaughter. The DA expects Williams will turn himself in by Monday.
And while Williams seems to be a very affable guy on NBC, he has had his share of altercations with the police over the years. He also almost shot Wayne Chrebet a few years ago! The guy is just reckless with a capital R-E-C-K!
And while Williams seems to be a very affable guy on NBC, he has had his share of altercations with the police over the years. He also almost shot Wayne Chrebet a few years ago! The guy is just reckless with a capital R-E-C-K!
I think the limo driver walked in on something that he wasn't supposed to see.
Jayson's has been known for his rowdy and raucous parties with "his boys". I just wondered what that limo driver saw that made Jayson brandish a gun at him. I'm sure it was an accident but I thought only toddlers have gun accidents.
Jayson's has been known for his rowdy and raucous parties with "his boys". I just wondered what that limo driver saw that made Jayson brandish a gun at him. I'm sure it was an accident but I thought only toddlers have gun accidents.
[quote]Originally posted by hanknyc:
I thought only toddlers have gun accidents.
Actually gun accidents involving adults are not uncommon. According to National Safety Council 1998 figures figures, of the 900 reported gun accidents that year, over 3/4ths were by people age 15-64; over 2/5ths were by adults age 24-64. It ain't only toddlers....
Jayson Williams will probably use the excuse that he was heavily inebriated that night, particularly if it's established that he fired the fatal shots. And speaking of entertaining all those young men, I saw a report that mentioned a "wife," but her name hasn't turned up at all regarding this incident. Was she away and did she know he was bringing such a large and festive crew to his shopping mall-sized spread?
I thought only toddlers have gun accidents.
Actually gun accidents involving adults are not uncommon. According to National Safety Council 1998 figures figures, of the 900 reported gun accidents that year, over 3/4ths were by people age 15-64; over 2/5ths were by adults age 24-64. It ain't only toddlers....
Jayson Williams will probably use the excuse that he was heavily inebriated that night, particularly if it's established that he fired the fatal shots. And speaking of entertaining all those young men, I saw a report that mentioned a "wife," but her name hasn't turned up at all regarding this incident. Was she away and did she know he was bringing such a large and festive crew to his shopping mall-sized spread?
The original report somehow came out that it was a suicide. I'd like to know why that was reported. Who came up with that story? I'm thinking there was some sort of attempted coverup. I also don't understand why people can arrange to turn themselves in. If you're going to charge someone with a crime, send the cops right over!
According to Sports Illustrated, a witness has told authorities that Williams attempted to put the victim's palm print on the gun and that Williams and two other men destroyed the bloody clothes Williams was wearing. Doesn't sound good for Williams.
If that's true, they should throw the book at him. Lock him up and throw away the key.
Get Johnny Cochoran! No but really, he's a celebrity. And in this country, we all worship celebrities. That's why I know there's no way he's going to jail. Especially since alcohol is involved. He's just gonna lose a lot of $$$ but no jail.
I've read that Williams was drunk and spinning/twirling the gun. Sorry, but that's not an "accident". That's recklessness that our legal system rightfully views as criminal. His actions caused a man's death, and I'd have to think Williams will be charged with manslaughter.
I don't know much about Jayson Williams, but from what I've seen/heard, he seems to be a pretty decent guy. All this strikes me as so very sad.
I don't know much about Jayson Williams, but from what I've seen/heard, he seems to be a pretty decent guy. All this strikes me as so very sad.
[quote]Originally posted by BoSoxRudy:
I don't know much about Jayson Williams, but from what I've seen/heard, he seems to be a pretty decent guy. All this strikes me as so very sad.
He seemed to be a decent guy, but once this man was shot, someone clearly attempted to cover it up. Even if he didn't try to put the dead man's prints on the gun or destroy the bloody clothing (and my guess is he did), just the fact that they called 911 and reported a suicide makes it obvious. And now his lawyers will try and pull all kinds of maneuvers designed to keep him out of jail.
The only way that I'll ever have any respect for him is if he marches into court, tells the truth about EXACTLY what happened that night and humbly awaits whatever punishment the court deems sufficient. Until he does this, he should be treated like a pariah. He should never work for the NBA or its broadcasting outlets or any affiliated companies.
I don't know much about Jayson Williams, but from what I've seen/heard, he seems to be a pretty decent guy. All this strikes me as so very sad.
He seemed to be a decent guy, but once this man was shot, someone clearly attempted to cover it up. Even if he didn't try to put the dead man's prints on the gun or destroy the bloody clothing (and my guess is he did), just the fact that they called 911 and reported a suicide makes it obvious. And now his lawyers will try and pull all kinds of maneuvers designed to keep him out of jail.
The only way that I'll ever have any respect for him is if he marches into court, tells the truth about EXACTLY what happened that night and humbly awaits whatever punishment the court deems sufficient. Until he does this, he should be treated like a pariah. He should never work for the NBA or its broadcasting outlets or any affiliated companies.
Some recent developments in this saga. Williams settled a civil suit with the victim's family. And earlier this week, the trial wa delayed for a hearing in the court of appeals on March 12.
The family of Mr. Christofi believe Williams did not intend to shoot him and that he is truly sorry. "We are sure that he did not intend to hurt Gus and that he sincerely regrets what occurred," they said. "He has offered us his deepest sympathies and he has taken responsibility for this tragic accident, which we genuinely appreciate."
The family of Mr. Christofi believe Williams did not intend to shoot him and that he is truly sorry. "We are sure that he did not intend to hurt Gus and that he sincerely regrets what occurred," they said. "He has offered us his deepest sympathies and he has taken responsibility for this tragic accident, which we genuinely appreciate."
We're all sure he didn't mean to shoot the guy. But what about the way he and his pals lied about what happened and tried to make it look like a suicide?
I think the family decided to settle, figuring that he'll eventually run out of money due to legal fees and lack of work.
I think the family decided to settle, figuring that he'll eventually run out of money due to legal fees and lack of work.
Keep in mind that despite the settlement reached in the CIVIL suit, this is no way eliminates Williams' accountability from the still pending CRIMINAL case (although I just read this week that Jason's defense attorneys are trying to get that trial called off completely due to some ridiculous technicalities -- puleez! 
...are there any worse scumbags on the planet than D.A.'s who KNOW their clients are guilty as sin and still successfully get cases thrown out due to "loopholes" in the law, jury selection process, etc?).
While none of us doubt that Williams didn't PLAN to kill the limo driver, the mere fact that he pulled the trigger and, of even greater importance, tried to cover it up himself to make it look like a suicide AND attempted to persuade his "guests" (two of whom have since accepted plea bargains in exchange for testifying against Williams) should land the millionaire, former athlete in jail for a VERY long period of time....I, for one, am sick and tired of seeing former "star" athletes and celebrities receive preferential treatment by our "justice" system solely due to their wealth or past name recognition....if this was any "normal" citizen who acted in such a reprehensible manner, they would have already been convicted and been behind bars....Although Jason seemed like a decent enough guy as a player, it's time for him to pay dearly for taking the life of a man who was simply doing his job (and providing Williams and his entourage with a service THEY requested) and depriving Gus' family of spending a lifetime with a seemingly, hard working, morally upstanding man -- such heinous actions deserve more than a slap on the wrist, that's for sure.
...are there any worse scumbags on the planet than D.A.'s who KNOW their clients are guilty as sin and still successfully get cases thrown out due to "loopholes" in the law, jury selection process, etc?).While none of us doubt that Williams didn't PLAN to kill the limo driver, the mere fact that he pulled the trigger and, of even greater importance, tried to cover it up himself to make it look like a suicide AND attempted to persuade his "guests" (two of whom have since accepted plea bargains in exchange for testifying against Williams) should land the millionaire, former athlete in jail for a VERY long period of time....I, for one, am sick and tired of seeing former "star" athletes and celebrities receive preferential treatment by our "justice" system solely due to their wealth or past name recognition....if this was any "normal" citizen who acted in such a reprehensible manner, they would have already been convicted and been behind bars....Although Jason seemed like a decent enough guy as a player, it's time for him to pay dearly for taking the life of a man who was simply doing his job (and providing Williams and his entourage with a service THEY requested) and depriving Gus' family of spending a lifetime with a seemingly, hard working, morally upstanding man -- such heinous actions deserve more than a slap on the wrist, that's for sure.
This is no mystery. It's simply a murder case that's about to get the ol' O.J. heave-ho.
[ February 07, 2003, 02:01 AM: Message edited by: amazin12 ]
[ February 07, 2003, 02:01 AM: Message edited by: amazin12 ]
QUOTE
gamecock:
...are there any worse scumbags on the planet than D.A.'s who KNOW their clients are guilty as sin and still successfully get cases thrown out due to \"loopholes\" in the law, jury selection process, etc?).
While I'm not going to defend Williams, I find these kind of comments unfortunate. First of all, D.A.s are the prosecutors, so you've got your facts wrong, but the real point is why do you blame criminal defense lawyers for trying to uphold the law? What you call a loophole others call civil liberties. These "loopholes" may just be what distinguishes the US from, say, Myanmar or Iraqi justice.
...are there any worse scumbags on the planet than D.A.'s who KNOW their clients are guilty as sin and still successfully get cases thrown out due to \"loopholes\" in the law, jury selection process, etc?).
that's funny---colonel mustard in the observatory. i like that. i gotta say jayson williams don't look to good in that whole situation. in fact i think he's guilty as hell--but hey ---innocent until proven guilty right?! Right.
Jayson Williams has done his first extended TV interview since the shooting...on 20/20 tomorrow he's being interviewed by Barbara Walters. They showed a brief clip on ESPN.
Yes, he was crying. wink
Yes, he was crying. wink
Seems nobody is safe around Jayson Williams when he gets liquored up and has a gun nearby, not even his poor dog! From ESPN.com:
QUOTE
...the shooting of Zeus, a Rottweiler, took place on Aug. 8 or 9, 2001, between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., according to a sworn statement from Dwayne Schintzius, a former NBA player who was living at Williams' mansion and working out with him in the hope of making a comeback.
The incident happened after Williams, Schintzius and another friend, Chris Duckery, returned from drinking at the Mountain View Chalet, she said. That is the same restaurant Williams and friends had been at before the Christofi shooting.
Schintzius, in a sworn interview, said he bet Williams $100 that he could drag Zeus out of the house. After Williams accepted, Schintzius pulled the dog outside by his hind legs, the prosecutor said.
Williams went upstairs and returned with a shotgun. \"He blasts one round into the side of the dog, and another into his head, in Schintzius' words, almost decapitating him,\" Errickson told the judge.
Williams then loaded two more rounds into the shotgun, pointed it at Schintzius, and said, \"Shinbone, get this ... dog off my porch, or you're next,\" the prosecutor said. Schintzius and Duckery complied, and buried the dog, she said.
Everybody Run, the New Jersey Net's Got a Gun!
The incident happened after Williams, Schintzius and another friend, Chris Duckery, returned from drinking at the Mountain View Chalet, she said. That is the same restaurant Williams and friends had been at before the Christofi shooting.
Schintzius, in a sworn interview, said he bet Williams $100 that he could drag Zeus out of the house. After Williams accepted, Schintzius pulled the dog outside by his hind legs, the prosecutor said.
Williams went upstairs and returned with a shotgun. \"He blasts one round into the side of the dog, and another into his head, in Schintzius' words, almost decapitating him,\" Errickson told the judge.
Williams then loaded two more rounds into the shotgun, pointed it at Schintzius, and said, \"Shinbone, get this ... dog off my porch, or you're next,\" the prosecutor said. Schintzius and Duckery complied, and buried the dog, she said.
What a sick creep. Once again a celebrity's fun-loving happy public persona hides the twisted evil.
Sick. Sick. Sick. Williams clearly has a sadistic streak in him that is terrifying! How long before he gets liquored up (again) and shoots something--or someone--else? Frightening.
~Adam
~Adam
The jury has been deliberating for over 14 hours now. Just what the hell is taking them so long? If he is acquited or gets a hung jury, my faith in the criminal justice system will lower substantially.
Whether he intentionally pulled the trigger or if it accidentally went off in his drunken hands, he is guilty of a crime. Stop with all this gun malfunction crap. You know when the gun doesn't malfunction? When you leave it locked in the gun cabinet after a night of boozing! You know when Benoit Benjamin doesn't have the opportunity to try and sell his testimony? When you don't ask him and the Harlem Globetrotters to help concoct a story about suicide after you've just shot a man! Are we suppossed to be surprised that some of the witnesses are of questionable moral fiber? After all, they were hanging out with a drunken fool who ended up shooting a man to death and trying to lie about it!
Whether he intentionally pulled the trigger or if it accidentally went off in his drunken hands, he is guilty of a crime. Stop with all this gun malfunction crap. You know when the gun doesn't malfunction? When you leave it locked in the gun cabinet after a night of boozing! You know when Benoit Benjamin doesn't have the opportunity to try and sell his testimony? When you don't ask him and the Harlem Globetrotters to help concoct a story about suicide after you've just shot a man! Are we suppossed to be surprised that some of the witnesses are of questionable moral fiber? After all, they were hanging out with a drunken fool who ended up shooting a man to death and trying to lie about it!
Jury could be trying to decide if it was an "accident" or was intentional. There is a potentially huge difference in the penalties for these two different possibilities.
There could also be that one juror the other 11 are trying to convince of whatever has been decided. :confused: Couldn't you picture a certain Outsporter on the jury saying he's too handsome/hot/sexy to have killed someone else.
[ April 29, 2004, 11:21 AM: Message edited by: scottie ]
There could also be that one juror the other 11 are trying to convince of whatever has been decided. :confused: Couldn't you picture a certain Outsporter on the jury saying he's too handsome/hot/sexy to have killed someone else.
[ April 29, 2004, 11:21 AM: Message edited by: scottie ]
[ April 29, 2004, 11:54 AM: Message edited by: scottie ]
Yeah I hate that they even get to ponder if it was an accident. He didn't accidentally get shitfaced, he didn't accidentally pick up the shotgun, he didn't accidentally try to cover up his crime. Just because he was drunk should not make his actions accidental. The only way to even begin to cut down on alcohol related crimes is to stop blaming the booze and start blaming the boozer.
Anyway we may find out very soon. Court TV is reporting the judge is preparing to take the bench and that a cheer was heard coming from the jury room shortly after lunch.
Anyway we may find out very soon. Court TV is reporting the judge is preparing to take the bench and that a cheer was heard coming from the jury room shortly after lunch.
The jury has reached verdicts on 6 counts and are split on 2. The judge will have the jury continue deliberations.
This jury certainly proves the point that that only people who serve on juries are the ones too stupid to know how to get out of it. One of the female jurors interviewed afterwards said (and I'm paraphrasing a bit here) "Oh I knew it was an accident from the very beginning". Umm, isn't that a preconception, no less a violation of the jurors oath than if she'd gone into the trial "knowing" Williams was guilty?
From what Williams himself admits to, how on earth can this not at least be reckless manslaughter? Just because he was drunk at the time? People driving drunk get convicted. I guess playing with a gun while shitfaced isn't a problem.
He was convicted of the four lesser charges (mostly related to the coverup), but all of those come with minimum sentences of probation, so he could serve no jail time whatsoever. I just hope the judge looks at what a knucklehead this guy has been with guns in the past.
I feel bad for the Christofi family.
From what Williams himself admits to, how on earth can this not at least be reckless manslaughter? Just because he was drunk at the time? People driving drunk get convicted. I guess playing with a gun while shitfaced isn't a problem.
He was convicted of the four lesser charges (mostly related to the coverup), but all of those come with minimum sentences of probation, so he could serve no jail time whatsoever. I just hope the judge looks at what a knucklehead this guy has been with guns in the past.
I feel bad for the Christofi family.
I wonder how the family feels NOW about settling the civil suit? Maybe they'd like to reopen it and really go after him? I know that's how I'd feel.
I hope the judge gives him the maximum sentence possible, but I bet he'll get little or no jail time. But considering that dog-shooting incident, if Jayson Williams is allowed back on the air of any network, I hope PETA goes after them with every trick in their book. And I'm not a fan of PETA.
I hope the judge gives him the maximum sentence possible, but I bet he'll get little or no jail time. But considering that dog-shooting incident, if Jayson Williams is allowed back on the air of any network, I hope PETA goes after them with every trick in their book. And I'm not a fan of PETA.
Rather than start a new thread about this worthless piece of crap I figured I'd put the latest on OJ, er I mean Jayson. Let's just keep giving him a pass.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4204058
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4204058
I thought this case was long over but it is being reported that Williams is taking a deal that would send him to prison for 3 years.
http://www.comcast.net/articles/sports-gen....Williams.Plea/
http://www.comcast.net/articles/sports-gen....Williams.Plea/
Gee, and this only took almost EIGHT years. 
Why isn't this douchenozzle in prison already? He's still free and is able to drive drunk putting more lives at risk...
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/01/05/jayson-.../?synd=fanhouse
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/01/05/jayson-.../?synd=fanhouse
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