Judge to rule on whether convictions of former NBA star Williams should be thrown out

Judge to rule on Jayson Williams manslaughter case

SOMERVILLE, N.J. — Former NBA star Jayson Williams will soon learn whether his convictions for covering up the shooting of a hired driver will be thrown out.

A New Jersey judge is to rule Friday after the former NBA star’s lawyers argued the Hunterdon County prosecutor’s office engaged in racial bias and misconduct.

Current and former employees testified last week in a special hearing prompted by the disclosure two years ago that a county investigator used a racial slur to describe Williams, who is black.

Williams was convicted in 2004 of covering up the shooting of Costas “Gus” Christofi, but the jury deadlocked on a reckless manslaughter count. Williams faces a retrial on that charge.