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Jayson Williams' Lawyers Argue Troops in Arrest Were Biased
Lawyers representing former NBA star Jayson Williams can have a judge review the personnel and employment records of five state troopers involved in the manslaughter case against him, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Williams' lawyers contend the troopers' records will indicate they arrested a disproportionate number of minorities and that two of the troopers were involved in bias incidents.
Williams, 35, who is black, is accused of recklessly handling the shotgun that killed Costas Christofi on Feb. 14, 2002. Williams could face nearly 55 years in prison if convicted of all charges, the most serious of which is aggravated manslaughter.
Prosecutors opposed the defense request, arguing that the troopers did not target Williams but were summoned to his New Jersey estate the night of the shooting.
Williams' trial is expected to begin in January.
The 6-foot-10 Williams was among the NBA's best rebounders when leg injuries led to his retirement from the New Jersey Nets in 2000.
Source: The AP
Williams' lawyers contend the troopers' records will indicate they arrested a disproportionate number of minorities and that two of the troopers were involved in bias incidents.
Williams, 35, who is black, is accused of recklessly handling the shotgun that killed Costas Christofi on Feb. 14, 2002. Williams could face nearly 55 years in prison if convicted of all charges, the most serious of which is aggravated manslaughter.
Prosecutors opposed the defense request, arguing that the troopers did not target Williams but were summoned to his New Jersey estate the night of the shooting.
Williams' trial is expected to begin in January.
The 6-foot-10 Williams was among the NBA's best rebounders when leg injuries led to his retirement from the New Jersey Nets in 2000.
Source: The AP