Steven C. Lember, the lead prosecutor in the manslaughter case against former basketball star Jayson Williams, has resigned from the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office.

Lember submitted his resignation on Tuesday and cited "significant differences in the philosophy of the office," the New York Post and the Star-Ledger of Newark reported in Friday's editions. He said he plans to resume private practice.

Lember's resignation creates a void in the prosecution team in the Williams case. The former New Jersey Nets center is scheduled for trial in January to determine whether he was guilty of reckless manslaughter in the shooting death of hired driver Costas "Gus" Christofi in 2002.

Williams was acquitted of the more serious charge of aggravated manslaughter in April 2004, but was convicted on four charges stemming from a failed attempt to cover up the shooting. The jury deadlocked on the reckless manslaughter count.