Lawyer Denies Williams Handled Gun Recklessly

A lawyer for former NBA player Jayson Williams has denied a newspaper report that his client was playfully handling a gun when a limousine driver was fatally shot.

Williams had been showing off his shotgun in his New Jersey mansion, flipping it around, when it suddenly went off, The Star-Ledger of Newark reported Saturday, citing unidentified sources.

But Williams’ lawyer, Joseph Hayden, told the newspaper for Sunday’s editions: “There is no basis in fact for any allegation that Mr. Williams was involved in any horseplay with a gun. There was no purposeful or reckless behavior on Mr. Williams’ part.”

Acting Hunterdon County Prosecutor Steven C. Lember has not said who is believed to be the shooter and said there are no immediate plans for an arrest. He has said Williams, his brother, Vincent, and about 10 guests were in the house at the time.

The Star-Ledger, The Record of Hackensack and several broadcast stations have reported that unidentified law enforcement sources told them Williams, 33, accidentally fired the gun.

Williams’ agent, Sal DiFazio, has characterized The Star-Ledger’s description of the events as “a very accurate portrayal of where everything is, as far as I know.” He declined further comment and referred questions to Hayden.

Authorities were called to Williams’ 65-acre estate early Thursday and found Costas Christofi, 55, in a bedroom with a gunshot wound to his chest. Authorities have said the shotgun appeared to be one of several owned by Williams.

Baseball

A frail Ted Williams made a surprise visit to a ceremony honoring, among others, Cal Ripken Jr. and Don Mattingly at the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame at Citrus Hills, Fla.

Williams, the Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer, was greeted by a thunderous ovation from the 2,000 in attendance when his wheelchair was rolled to the podium.

“There he is, ladies and gentlemen,” said former Dodger manager Tom Lasorda, the master of ceremonies. “The greatest hitter that God ever put on Earth, Ted Williams!”

Williams, 83, has battled strokes, congestive heart failure and kidney failure in recent years. A teary-eyed Williams left after a brief stay. He raised his right hand and slowly saluted the cheering crowd as he was raised into a van.

Five players were admitted to the Hitters Hall of Fame at the ceremony: former Red Sox outfielder Dwight Evans; the late New York Yankee slugger Roger Maris; St. Louis Cardinals’ 10-time all-star Enos Slaughter; Ripken--the recently retired Baltimore Oriole star--and Mattingly, the former Yankee first baseman.

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Pittsburgh reliever Mike Fetters, who filed a trade demand in November, intends to rescind it if he’s not dealt by the March 15 deadline.

Fetters, 37, was acquired from the Dodgers in July. If the Pirates don’t trade Fetters by March 15, he would become a free agent but would lose the remainder of his contract: a $2.15-million salary this year plus a $250,000 buyout of a $2.75-million club option for 2003.

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New York Yankee left-hander David Wells reported no problems, one day after his first session of throwing off a mound in seven months. Wells had back surgery in the summer.

Pro Football

The Houston Texans are expected to turn to Jacksonville’s first college draft pick ever as their top pick in today’s expansion draft.

Tony Boselli, the expansion Jaguars’ No. 1 pick out of USC in 1995, probably will be called on to help build another expansion team.

Boselli, selected to the Pro Bowl five times, gave up only 141/2 sacks in his seven-year career. He played three games last season because of shoulder injuries. His salary cap figure is about $6.9 million.

Houston plans to select between 12 and 18 of the 155 players available in the draft. The team will use 38% of the $71.8-million salary cap and spend the rest on the college draft in April and on free agents.

College Basketball

Kentucky sophomore guards Gerald Fitch and Cory Sears were suspended and will not play Tuesday against Tennessee for “behavior detrimental to the team,” Coach Tubby Smith said in a statement.

The two were involved in a scuffle after the No. 10 Wildcats’ 78-69 loss at No. 21 Georgia Saturday.

Fitch is Kentucky’s fourth-leading scorer, averaging 9.5 points. Sears is a walk-on who is averaging 0.8 points.

Utah Coach Rick Majerus skipped practice Sunday to rest, one day after missing a victory over Air Force because of a bronchial infection and high fever.

It wasn’t known if Majerus would rejoin the team for tonight’s Mountain West game against New Mexico.

Golf

Doug Tewell saved par with an 18-foot putt from the fringe after hitting into the water on the par-five No. 12 and then held off Hale Irwin and Bruce Fleisher to win the Senior PGA Tour Verizon Classic at Lutz, Fla.

Irwin had birdies on Nos. 10-14, but closed with four consecutive pars to finish at nine-under 204, one shot behind Tewell.

Track and Field

Russia’s Svetlana Feofanova cleared 15 feet 23/4 to win the women’s pole vault in an indoor meet at Birmingham, England.

Feofanova made three attempts to break her world record of 15-61/4, but failed to clear 15-61/2.

Stacy Dragila of the U.S., the outdoor world record holder and Olympic champion, finished fifth at 14-23/4 after failing three attempts at 14-63/4.

Passings

Tommy Joe Crutcher, a linebacker on the Green Bay Packers’ three consecutive NFL championship teams and first two Super Bowl winners, died Saturday at McAllen, Texas. He was 60.

Crutcher had a nine-year career. He spent 1970 on injured reserve with the L.A. Rams.