Williams Asks Court to Dismiss Charges

Jayson Williams’ attorneys asked an appeals court in Trenton, N.J., on Wednesday to dismiss manslaughter charges against the former NBA star, arguing the grand jury presentation was flawed beyond repair.

Defense attorneys say the grand jury that returned the indictment never should have been told that Williams exercised his right to remain silent after a limousine driver was shot to death early Feb. 14.

The grand jury indicted Williams on a more serious manslaughter charge than the one he originally faced, tripling the maximum sentence.

Acting Hunterdon County Prosecutor Steven C. Lember did not immediately return calls seeking comment Wednesday afternoon. Earlier, he said no grand jury presentation is perfect, but none of the mistakes made during this one was serious enough to justify dismissing the indictment.

Williams, 34, is accused of recklessly handling the shotgun that killed Costas Christofi, and then trying to make the shooting look self-inflicted. Two other men charged in the alleged cover-up have pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against him.

He could face nearly 45 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

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Orlando Magic forward Grant Hill didn’t play in Wednesday’s game against the Houston Rockets, the sixth consecutive game he has sat out because of chronic tendinitis in his left ankle. Hill has had three operations on the ankle since breaking it in 2000 with the Detroit Pistons. He has missed 11 of Orlando’s 37 games this season.

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Vince Carter could return to the struggling Toronto Raptors as early as Friday after sitting out 15 games because of a strained right knee. Carter practiced Wednesday for the first time since injuring his knee Dec. 10. He must be cleared by team doctors before playing again.

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French swingman Antoine Rigaudeau said the Dallas Mavericks offered him a contract through the end of next season. Now he wants his Italian team, Virtus Bologna, to accept an offer from Dallas for his rights. Rigaudeau helped Virtus Bologna win two European championships.

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The NBA Players Assn. filed an appeal on behalf of Indiana Pacer forward Ron Artest, who was suspended for three games without pay and fined $35,000 for hurling a television monitor and smashing a camera after a loss in New York.