Originally Posted - January 9, 2007

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SUFFOLK COUNTY---The son of Long Island Ducks owner and former New York Met Bud Harrelson pleaded guilty Tuesday to helping his best friend dispose of a samurai sword that he had used to murder his stepfather.

With his father looking on, Troy "TJ" Harrelson, admitted that he had picked up his friend Zachary Gibian, 19, on Feb. 27, 2005, who told him he had killed his stepfather, Scott Nager, 51. Harrelson then helped Gibian dispose of the murder weapon and some bloody clothes, the same day police found Nager dead on his living room couch. Nager, a retired New York City police officer, was nearly decapitated from two blows to the neck from a samurai sword.

Harrelson had testified in court against Gibian on Nov. 15, admitting that he had taken Gibian to dispose of the weapon in a trash container. Jurors convicted Gibian of second degree murder on Dec. 13 after seven days of deliberations. Gibian, who faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison, was scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday, but prosecutors expected a delay.

State Supreme Court Judge Robert Doyle ordered Harrelson to enter an inpatient drug rehabilitation program by Feb. 8 and set sentencing for March 8 after Harrelson pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution.

If he successfully completes drug rehab, he could be sentenced to 90 days in jail which may be satisfied by his stay in the rehab along with five years of probation. Judge Doyle said that if Harrelson doesn't address his drug problem, that he would likely sentence him to 1 1/3 to 7 years in state prison.

Bud Harrelson is a former all-star shortstop for the New York Mets baseball team of which he was a member for 13 years. He was a member of the 1969 World Series team. He later managed the Mets during the 1990s and is currently co-owner of the Long Island Ducks, a minor league team. 1-09-07

© 2007 North Country Gazette