STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Murder defendant Damien Hurstel — who stands charged in the decapitation of his mother’s longtime boyfriend inside their West Brighton home — appeared more coherent during a scheduled court appearance Thursday.
Hurstel, 19, is facing several charges including murder and concealing a corpse in connection with the Oct. 6 slaying. The victim, 45-year-old Anthony Casalaspro, was a Department of Sanitation mechanic who family and friends described as easygoing and a good person.
For approximately the past two months, Hurstel has been held in the mental observation unit on Rikers Island. “He is receiving medication for schizophrenia and other related mental health illnesses as well as psychiatric therapy,” defense attorney Mark Fonte said Thursday.
In the courtroom, Fonte informed Justice Alexander B. Jeong that his team plans to schedule an independent psychiatric exam, once they receive all of the evidence from the prosecution. Jeong adjourned the proceedings to Feb. 10 in state Supreme Court, St. George.
Fonte previously notified the court that they were basing their defense on “mental disease or defect,” more commonly referred to as an insanity defense.
“The issue before the court is, ‘what was his mental health like at the time of the incident?’” said Fonte on Thursday. “Not what it was like today in the courtroom.”
The defendant has a documented history of mental illness that dates back to his childhood, according to his family and his attorneys. He has been diagnosed over the years as schizophrenic and suffering from PTSD, among other conditions, they said.
Fonte said Thursday that his conversation with Hurstel was much different than the first time they met privately in October, when Hurstel’s demeanor was “extremely concerning.”
A gruesome scene
Police sirens illuminate the family’s home on the 300 block of Cary Avenue in West Brighton, after police say Hurstel murdered his mother’s boyfriend. (Advance/SILive.com | Scott Axelrod)
The violence was allegedly preceded by a verbal dispute between Hurstel and Casalaspro inside the home.
Hurstel told police investigators he struck Casalaspro with a meat tenderizer, stabbed him multiple times and then dragged his body into the bathtub where he removed his head, according to court documents.
In this Oct.7, 2025 photo, Damien Hurstel is escorted out of the 120th Precinct stationhouse in St. George. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)
Authorities said Hurstel then employed the use of a saw, a hammer, a pair of bolt cutters and a large soup spoon.
The hammer, according to a law enforcement source, was used to gain access to the victim’s brain. The spoon, they said, was used in an attempt to scoop out brain matter.
A photo of the crime scene mysteriously wound up being shared across Staten Island and beyond, the Advance/SILive.com previously reported.
Disputes at the home
According to reports, the defendant’s sister arrived home from school on the day of the slaying to find Casalaspro’s body in the bathtub. Hurstel remained at the home as police arrived.
Law enforcement sources noted domestic issues at the home in recent years. According to the defendant’s family, these issues revolved primarily around his mental illness and the medications he was supposed to take.
Hurstel’s mother told the New York Post that in one instance last year, on her birthday, Hurstel became physical with her after she asked him to clean up the kitchen.
Family showing support for defendant
Several of Hurstel’s family members, including his mother, uncle and cousin, have shown up consistently to court. Hurstel turned and acknowledged them at his appearance Thursday.
“That’s very telling, because it was his family who prior to my client turning 18 was in charge and responsible for his medication and doctor’s visits,” said Fonte after the appearance. “Once he turned 18 they were prevented from having that type of supervision.”
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