Jayson Williams arrested in North Carolina

Posted by Bill San Antonio

Former Red Storm basketball player and New Jersey Nets star Jayson Williams was arrested outside a Raleigh, N.C. nightclub Sunday night after he punched someone in the face, according to authorities.

Williams, 41, was charged with one count of simple assault in yet another chapter of his legal troubles. He was released on $1000 bond and was cooperative during the investigation and arrest, according to capt. T.L. Earnhardt of the Raleigh Police Department.

The incident comes nearly one month after NYPD officers used a stun gun to subdue him in a New York City hotel after a friend reported the former NBA star was acting suicidal.

Williams’ wife filed for divorce this year, claiming that he was abusive, adulterous and had a drug problem during their marriage. Sources think the divorce battle contributed to the suicidal outburst. 

Williams is also facing a retrial in the 2002 shooting death of his limousine driver, Costas Christofi, on count of reckless manslaughter. Though the jury acquitted him of charges of aggrevated manslaughter, it deadlocked on the reckless manslaughter count. He was convicted of trying to cover up the shooting in 2004, the but the presiding judge will not sentence Williams until after he is retried for reckless manslaughter.

Williams played nine seasons for the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets before injuries forced him to retire in 2000.