SOMERVILLE, N.J. (AP) Jury selection in the manslaughter trial of former NBA star Jayson Williams was delayed Monday as potential jurors were questioned about their exposure to news coverage of the case.

Asked if they had seen or been told of recent media reports, more than a dozen of the 61 remaining members of the jury pool raised their hands.

Superior Court Judge Edward M. Coleman said some other pool members had to be interviewed about news broadcasts that took place after they joined the group early in the process.

Williams, 35, faces seven charges, including aggravated manslaughter and witness tampering, that could carry penalties of up to 55 years in prison.

Limousine driver Costas ``Gus'' Christofi was slain early on Feb. 14, 2002, at Williams' 40-room mansion after the retired New Jersey Nets center and a group of friends had been out drinking.

Christofi, 55, had driven the friends from a Harlem Globetrotters show to a restaurant, and then to Williams' estate.

Both sides agree that Williams didn't intend to kill anyone when he picked up a shotgun and the gun fired as he snapped it open and shut. At issue is whether Christofi's death resulted from reckless indifference or was a blameless accident.

Prosecutors said that immediately after the shooting Williams wiped the gun and tried to put the victim's prints on it, changed his own clothing, and told his guests to agree that the shooting was a suicide.

Two of Williams' friends pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence, one for wiping down the shotgun and the other for hiding Williams' clothes. Both are prepared to testify that they acted at Williams' request.

After the shooting, Williams was suspended from his job as an NBA analyst for NBC.