Urban Magazine Daily News

Jayson Williams, a former NBA All-Star, has been sentenced to five years in prison for the 2002 fatal shooting of his limo driver, Costas Christof.

The shooting occurred when Williams failed to check the safety on a double barrel shotgun he presumed was unloaded.

According to witnesses, Williams placed the weapon near Christof’s body and instructed the witnesses to lie about what  had take place.

“Had the defendant exercised one ounce of caution that night, Gus Christofi would still be alive and we wouldn’t be here,” explained Deputy Attorney General Steven Farman.

It has been stated that he may be released on parole during the summer of 2011.

“To my family, please forgive me for the pain I’ve caused you,” Williams said Tuesday as he read from a statement. “You deserve a better father, a better brother and son than I have been. I am not a bad man, but I acted badly on Feb. 14. I will work endlessly to improve myself and make positive contributions to society.”

Williams played in the National Basketball Association for nearly nine years on two teams, the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets before retiring in 2000 due to a leg injury.