SOMERVILLE, N.J. — The family of the man shot dead in Jayson Williams' mansion urged prosecutors to pursue a second trial of the former NBA star for manslaughter Thursday night at a candlelight vigil on the steps of the courthouse.

"I'm hoping and praying that maybe they'll be able to retry him," said Andrea Adams, the sister of chauffeur Costas "Gus" Christofi. "I just want a little justice — that's all."

Her son, John, was more direct.

"Lock him up," he said.

Story continues

advertisement

There is little chance Williams would see prison time without a retrial. The jury that deadlocked on reckless manslaughter acquitted him of other serious charges, convicting him only on four minor counts related to a cover-up of the shooting.

Prosecutors are set to reveal whether they will try Williams again for reckless manslaughter at a hearing Friday afternoon. Adams said lead prosecutor Steven Lember has not contacted her since the verdict.

Costas "Gus" Christofi's sister, Andrea Adams, watches as her candle blows out in the wind.

About 45 people attended Thursday's rally.

"We just really think that Gus got lost in this trial and we just really wanted this for him," Maria El Hadidi told those gathered.

They included the family's Greek Orthodox priest, who led the crowd in reciting the Lord's Prayer, and a Baptist minister who attended the trial in support of Williams.

Rev. Richard "Rick" Taylor often sat next to Williams' wife, Tanya, in the front row of the courtroom and acknowledged he considered Williams a friend.

A supporter consoles Christofi's sister before the vigil starts.

"I make no apology for that," he said after the service. "But I'm also a minister of the Gospel."

He said he wanted to encourage healing and pay his respects to Christofi's family, who he knew from the restaurants they operate.

Taylor was accompanied by about 15 people, mostly African-Americans. Williams' defense made allegations of racism or racial insensitivity several times during the trial. The athlete's father is black and his mother white.

One woman, who said she was the NAACP, hugged Adams and said, "We understand each others' trials and woes."

Christofi's friends and family gathered Thursday evening to remember the slain chauffeur.

One woman who arrived wearing a T-shirt that expressed support for Williams was asked to leave.

"This has nothing to do with him. This is about Gus," El Hadidi told her.

After the short ceremony, Adams and El Hadidi spoke lovingly about Christofi. The 55-year-old had turned his life around after decades of drug abuse and prison stays and had a new appreciation of family and simple pleasures.

"He tried to cram as much life in every day as he could," Adams said.

A supporter comforts Adams and her daughter, Maria El Hadidi.

Both women said Christofi seemed to have a premonition of death in the days leading up to the Feb. 14, 2002, shooting. He asked his sister about their father's death, and El Hadidi said he called each of his relatives.

The family settled a civil suit against William for a reported $2.75 million.

Adams declined to discuss the settlement at length, but implied that she made the decision while still grappling with her brother's death.

"I took this very hard and I was under a lot of pressure," she said.