Samurai sword killer's pal gets probation
from newsday
BY ALFONSO CASTILLO
alfonso.castillo@newsday.com
April 23, 2007, 12:06 PM EDT
Troy "T.J." Harrelson, the son of former New York Met Bud Harrelson, was sentenced to probation and community service Monday for helping his best friend, Zachary Gibian, get rid of the samurai sword prosecutors say Gibian used to murder his stepfather.
Harrelson, 20, of Hauppauge, pleaded guilty in February to hindering the prosecution, a felony. In exchange, State Supreme Court Justice Robert W. Doyle sentence him to five years probation and 420 hours of community service.
Harrelson testified at Gibian's trial in December to picking up Gibian moments after he nearly beheaded his stepfather, retired New York City Police Officer Scott Nager, 51, with a samurai sword in February 2006.
Gibian entered Harrelson's car carrying a garbage bag containing the bloody sword and Gibian's clothes and confessed to Harrelson about what he had just done, Harrelson testified. Together, they drove to a nearby shopping center and disposed of the bag in a garbage container, Harrelson testified.
Gibian was convicted of second degree murder and is serving a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
Suffolk Assistant District Attorney John Scott Prudenti said the plea deal was in response to Harrelson's cooperation with authorities in their murder investigation.
"He's always been very truthful and forthright," Prudenti said in court.
As part of the plea deal, Doyle ordered Harrelson in February to undergo rehabilitation for his drug problem. Harrelson admitted during the trial to using cocaine and other drugs.
Bud Harrelson, who is also the co-owner of the Long Island Ducks baseball franchise, said Monday that his son recently completed a 28-day rehab stint and has been sober for nearly four months.
"I wanted my son back, and I have him back. He's refreshing, energetic," said Bud Harrelson, who hugged his son in a court hallway after the sentencing. "It's a bright light that's been dark for a long time."
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