Former NBA star Jayson Williams expected to plead guilty in 2002 shooting death

Ex-NBA star Williams due to admit guilt in killing

NEWARK, N.J. — Former NBA star Jayson Williams is expected to plead guilty in connection with a fatal shooting of a hired driver at his New Jersey estate in 2002.

A person with knowledge of the case but who wasn’t authorized to talk about it told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity that Williams will plead guilty to aggravated assault on Friday. Several other people who also spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to talk about the case confirmed a plea deal had been reached.

Williams was acquitted of aggravated manslaughter in 2004 but convicted of covering up the shooting. He was scheduled to be retried for reckless manslaughter, which carries a 10-year maximum sentence. An aggravated assault charge for a crime involving a gun carries a minimum 18-month sentence.

Williams retired in 2000 after playing nine seasons for the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets.