Hauppauge teen admitted to samurai sword murder, ex-Met's son claims

(11/15/06) RIVERHEAD - The son of a former New York Mets star took the stand Wednesday against a Hauppauge teen charged with murdering his stepfather with a samurai sword. Troy "T.J." Harrelson, son

News 12 Staff

Nov 16, 2006, 12:31 AM

Updated 6,506 days ago

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(11/15/06) RIVERHEAD - The son of a former New York Mets star took the stand Wednesday against a Hauppauge teen charged with murdering his stepfather with a samurai sword.
Troy "T.J." Harrelson, son of Bud Harrelson, discussed his drug abuse and how he used to party with his ex-best friend, Zachary Gibian. However, Harrelson's testimony focused on the night in February 2005 when Gibian allegedly nearly decapitated Scott Nager. Harrelson told the court Gibian called him for help and asked for a ride. According to Harrelson, Gibian admitted to him he killed his father. Harrelson says he helped the Hauppauge teen dispose of evidence behind a Smithtown strip mall anyway. Police say they later found a garbage bag containing the murder weapon and Gibian's clothes.
Prosecutors cut a deal with Harrelson in exchange for his testimony, although he now admits he broke the terms of the deal when he was arrested two months ago on drug possession charges in Rhode Island. Harrelson might now be charged with a felony.
Gibian's attorney says he does not deny his client confessed to the crime that night. He claims the truth about who really committed the murder will come out by the end of the trial, which continues Thursday.
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