Wife: Jayson Williams Eager to Testify

Feb. 11 -- While Jayson William's defense team has presented the NBA star as a "big Teddy bear" who panicked after accidentally shooting his driver, prosecutors say Williams showed no compassion for the man who lay dying before him.

Williams held his head in his hands at points throughout the opening statements in his manslaughter trial, an indication that he is coping with "a great sense of frustration," according to his wife, Tanya Williams.

Tanya Williams told ABCNEWS' Good Morning America that her husband is looking forward to telling his side of the story on the stand. She says Williams is having a hard time waiting for his chance to "relay what happened at that moment."

While Williams waits for his turn, he heard from New Jersey State Trooper Thomas Muehleisen today. Muehleisen, the first investigator who showed up at his New Jersey mansion the night Costas "Gus" Christofi was shot testified that the driver's death could not have been a suicide.

While Muehleisen said early radio transmissions he heard while driving to the scene indicated the shooting might be a suicide, he says he could tell it wasn't as soon as he got a look at the victim.

Williams, 35, faces eight charges, including aggravated manslaughter and witness tampering, that could carry up to 55 years in prison. The least of the charges carries a penalty of up to 18 months in prison, but would likely result in probation.

Williams is also accused of tampering with evidence, trying to make the shooting look like a suicide. Williams' friends John Gordnick and Kent Culuko have pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and both have agreed to testify against Williams.

Meanwhile, during opening statements Tuesday, the jury was offered two versions of the shooting death of 55-year-old Christofi.

First assistant Hunterdon County prosecutor Steven Lember portrayed the shooting as a reckless act and Williams' defense attorney Billy Martin insisted it was a tragic accident.

The two sides also disagreed on what happened after the fatal shooting of Christofi in Williams' New Jersey mansion.

Lember said Williams' actions revealed that he was only concerned with his own well-being.