New Jersey Storm owner Jayson Williams today settled a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a limo driver who the former basketball star is accused of shooting a year ago.

Terms of the settlement were not released.

Williams is accused of accidentally shooting Costas "Gus" Christofi in the chest with a shotgun during a 14 February 2002 tour of Williams' estate in northern New Jersey, then attempting to make the shooting look like a suicide by discarding his bloody clothes and persuading other guests to mislead investigators.

Williams' upcoming trial for manslaughter, evidence tampering and related offenses was put on hold yesterday when an appeals court agreed to consider a motion for dismissal.

After the settlement was filed in Superior Court in Hackensack, NJ, Williams' attorneys released a series of letters exchanged by Williams and Christofi's family.

"While I know the pain I feel cannot compare to yours, I will live my whole life with the thought that Mr. Gus Christofi is no longer with you," Williams said.

"I am truly sorry," Williams added. "While I know that sorrow can never bring your brother back, I wanted you to know how I feel. It is my hope and prayer that over time you will find it in your heart to forgive me. My wife, Tanya, and I pray for your forgiveness every day of our lives."

Christofi's siblings accepted the apology.

"We are sure that he did not intend to hurt Gus and that he sincerely regrets what occurred," Anthony and Andrea Adams said. "He has offered us his deepest sympathies and he has taken responsibility for this tragic accident, which we genuinely appreciate."

The Adamses filed suit on 30 October 2002, claiming that Williams should compensate them for the loss of their brother and they support he provided. The suit also claimed that Williams defamed their late brother by attempting to make his death look like a suicide.

The settlement, reached through a mediator, does not affect the criminal proceedings against Williams. He faces approximately 45 years in prison if convicted of all charges.