Both the defense and prosecution in the samurai sword murder trial of a Hauppauge man believed the jury leaned their way Thursday after reviewing key pieces of testimony and evidence.

Jurors asked to review the written and videotaped confession of 20-year-old Zachary Gibian during the second full day of deliberations. Prosecutors claim Gibian nearly decapitated Scott Nager, his stepfather, with a samurai sword while the retired NYPD officer sat on his couch in February 2005. In direct contrast to his original confession, Gibian testified his mother, Laura Nager, wielded the sword and he lied in an attempt to protect her. Although she denies the allegation, his mother invoked her 5th Amendment rights and refused to take the stand.

Gibian's defense attorney believes the more often jurors review his client's testimony, the more likely they are to proclaim his innocence. However, prosecutors maintain the case is going their way. The jury re-examined the murder weapon Wednesday and will see the requested videotape when they reconvene Friday.

Related Information: Jurors take second look at samurai sword in Hauppauge murder case