Ex-NBA star Williams charged in shooting death

Staff And Wire Reports
Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2002 12:00 a.m. | Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2002 12:00 a.m.

FLEMINGTON, N.J. - Former NBA star Jayson Williams surrendered to police Monday and was charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of a limousine driver - a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

The NBC Sports commentator, accompanied by two men, walked through a back entrance into the state police barracks in Kingwood. He didn't comment as he entered or left.

Costas Christofi , 55, was found shot to death in the master bedroom at Williams' 65-acre estate in Alexandria Township on Feb. 14. According to the criminal complaint, Williams was the only person near Christofi when the gun went off.

Williams was released on $250,000 bail and required to turn over his weapons to police. His first court appearance in the case was scheduled for March 4 in Superior Court.

BASEBALL

Bobby Bonilla , a six-time All-Star during his 16 seasons, retired yesterday. Bonilla finished his career with 287 home runs, 1,173 runs batted in and a .279 average for eight teams, including the Pirates.

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Matt Williams broke his left leg in practice yesterday and is expected to miss the season opener.

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Buddy Groom agreed yesterday to a $6.25 million, two-year contract extension with a team option for 2005. Bloom led the team with 70 appearances and a career-high 11 saves. He was 1-4 with a 3.55 earned run average.

BASKETBALL

New York Knicks center Marcus Camby is expected to miss the rest of the regular season because the muscle tear in his hip has improved little.

FOOTBALL

The Atlanta Falcons released Chris Chandler , their starting quarterback for the past five seasons, and also cut receiver Terance Mathis .

The Super Bowl champion New England Patriots cut wide receivers Curtis Jackson and Charles Johnson , a former Steeler, and cornerback Terrence Shaw yesterday, and signed defensive tackle Jayce Saylor .

Tampa Bay offensive lineman Randall McDaniel , whose league-record string of 12 consecutive Pro Bowl starts ended this season, announced his retirement from the Buccaneers last night.

New Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden continued to assemble his staff yesterday, hiring seven assistants and promoting Bill Muir to offensive coordinator/offensive line coach.

The New York Jets rewarded coach Herman Edwards for the team's first playoff berth in three seasons, giving him a one-year contract extension yesterday.

New Orleans Saints running back Ricky Williams was arrested for speeding late Sunday, after being clocked driving 126 mph, Louisiana state police said.

Pitt made a late addition to its 2002 recruiting class when A.J. Schneider of Tampa, Fla., committed to the Panthers this past weekend. The 5-foot-11, 240-pound fullback from Jesuit High School had originally planned to enroll at Nebraska in January 2003, but instead accepted the Panthers' scholarship offer and will begin playing in August.

North Carolina quarterback Darian Durant , who set single-season freshman passing records for the Tar Heels last season, said yesterday he would transfer for personal reasons.

TENNIS

Italy's Davide Sanguinetti beat qualifier Justin Gimelstob 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the Siebel Open in San Jose, Calif., yesterday. In other first-round matches, Kristian Pless of Denmark defeated Hyung-Taik Lee of Korea 6-2, 6-2, and Kenneth Carlsen of Denmark topped American Taylor Dent 7-6 (6), 7-6 (2).

OFF THE FIELD

Olympic figure skating gold medalist Sarah Hughes will appear on boxes of Wheaties cereal starting in March.

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