The case against Christopher Sawicki, charged with the second-degree murder of his neighbour in Piccadilly on Newfoundland's west coast nearly two years ago, is expected to go to the jury Friday.

Sawicki, 49, was charged in the death of George Benoit, who was 57 when he was fatally stabbed on April 24, 2008.

The Crown and defence wrapped up their cases at Supreme Court in Corner Brook on Thursday.

Both lawyers told the jury they agree Sawicki killed Benoit, but they asked the jurors to find Sawicki not criminally responsible for his actions.

The trial heard from medical experts who said Sawicki was suffering from a manic episode of bipolar disorder on the night of the killing, and he had no concept of the consequences of his actions that night.

The jury was shown a videotape of an interview police officers had with Sawicki about 15 hours after Benoit's death. He was overly talkative, shouting at times and talking about saving the world, including telling police at one point that he's a member of the Polish army.

In the video, Sawicki admits to killing his neighbour, and says he was born with the mood disorder and doesn't need medication because he has learned to control it.

Witnesses at the trial said they warned authorities repeatedly that Sawicki's mental state was deteriorating.

Sawicki has been a patient of the Waterford Hospital in St. John's, the province's only institution specializing in psychiatric care, since his arrest.

If he is found not criminally responsible for the killing, he would be returned to the hospital.

The jury will hear from the judge before they leave the courtroom to deliberate.