N.J. police reject request for 911 tapes in Jayson Williams case

By The Associated Press

07.25.02

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TRENTON, N.J. — State police have rejected a newspaper's request to turn over tapes of the 911 call made after a limousine driver was shot to death at the home of former NBA star Jayson Williams.

Sgt. Robert Wilk, the agency's acting records custodian, issued his decision July 15 on a request filed by The Courier News of Bridgewater. He said the tapes are part of an ongoing criminal investigation and therefore are not open to the public.

Hunterdon County authorities cited similar reasons recently when they rejected requests to turn over the tapes, which also were sought by CNN of Atlanta and The Express-Times of Easton, Pa.

The Courier News had filed its requests on July 8, citing provisions in the state's new Open Public Records Act. Thomas Cafferty, an attorney whose firm represents the New Jersey Press Association, claimed the tapes predate the investigation and therefore should be open.

The newspaper said it would appeal the ruling.

Williams is charged with first-degree manslaughter in the Feb. 14 death of Costas Christofi. The 911 call was made shortly before 3 a.m. on the day of the shooting, and authorities said the caller reported the death as a suicide.

The former New Jersey Nets player is accused of recklessly handling the 12-gauge shotgun that fired the fatal shot. He has pleaded not guilty and remains free on $270,000 bail.

Update

Newspaper files civil complaint over Jayson Williams 911 tapes
New Jersey county prosecutor refuses to release tapes of call made after fatal shooting at former NBA star's home.  12.16.02

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Newspaper seeks 911 tapes in ex-NBA star's manslaughter case
The Courier-News cites New Jersey's new public-records law in seeking recordings of call made after limousine driver was shot to death at Jayson Williams' home.  07.09.02