Hearing for former NBA star postponed

NEWARK, N.J., Nov. 20 (UPI) -- A hearing for former NBA star Jayson Williams concerning the death a limo driver has been indefinitely postponed, the office of a New Jersey judge says.

Superior Court Judge Edward Coleman ordered the postponement Friday on the day Williams was expected to accept a plea deal that called for him to serve at least 18 months in jail, The Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger reports.

Longtime friend Akhtar Farzaie says Williams never finalized the deal and is still in South Carolina where he buried his father Saturday.

Williams was expected to admit playing a role in the death of Costas "Gus" Christofi, who died of a gunshot wound to the chest at Williams' home in 2002.

Williams has insisted Christofi's death was an accident but the state of New Jersey accused him of recklessly handling the gun that fired, killing Christofi.

The 6-foot-10 Williams played for the New Jersey Nets and Philadelphia 76ers before retiring in 2000.