SOMERVILLE, N.J. — An important ruling about the future of Jayson Williams' manslaughter trial was postponed Tuesday after a death in the lead prosecutor's family.

Superior Court Judge Edward Coleman delayed a decision on whether to dismiss all charges against the former NBA star until Thursday morning to allow lead prosecutor Steven Lember to attend funeral services for his wife's sister, Beverly Ellenport, who died suddenly Monday.

Williams' trial on charges of shooting chauffeur Costas "Gus" Christofi has been marked by delays. Since opening statements Feb. 10, jurors have heard only 19 days of witness testimony.

The proceeding was halted last month for three days when the mother of defense attorney Joseph Hayden Jr. died. Problems with scheduling witnesses delayed the trial several times. And the jury has not been in court since March 31 when allegations of misconduct by Lember surfaced.

Coleman allowed the defense nearly two weeks to substantiate claims that the prosecutor purposefully hid evidence about a gun expert.

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Lember acknowledged not turning over 23 photos and notes to the defense as required by law, but insisted it was a mistake.

Williams' lawyers asked the judge to throw out aggravated manslaughter and seven other charges related to the Feb. 14, 2002, shooting and bar prosecutors from ever trying the athlete again.

In arguments Monday, prosecutors told the judge that the defense case had suffered no great harm and said that at most, Williams was entitled to reopen his case and recall witnesses.