by Staten Island, NY – A 19-year-old Staten Island man accused of killing and attempting to decapitate his mother’s boyfriend will pursue an insanity defense, with his attorney telling a judge that the teen suffers from schizophrenia and was off his medication at the time of the brutal attack.
Damien Hurstel, who is currently held in the psychiatric unit on Rikers Island, appeared in court Thursday for a brief hearing as his lawyer outlined plans to argue that his mental state during the October 2025 killing left him unable to understand or control his actions.
Defense Says Mental Illness Central to Case
Hurstel’s attorney, Mark Fonte, told reporters outside the courtroom that his client’s mental health deteriorated sharply after he became a legal adult and could no longer be compelled by his family to take prescribed medication.
“When he’s medicated he is a loving child,” Fonte said.
Fonte explained that Hurstel has a documented history of severe mental illness, including schizophrenia and seizures, and that his condition worsened when he stopped treatment.
“When he’s not medicated he suffers from severe, very severe, mental health issues including schizophrenia and a history of seizures,” Fonte added. “His family was on top of it.”
According to the defense, Hurstel’s behavior at the time of the crime stands in stark contrast to his demeanor in court, where he appeared calm and attentive.
“The issue before the court is what was his mental health like at the time of the incident, not what it is like today in the courtroom,” Fonte said.
Details of the Oct. 6, 2025 Killing
Authorities say the killing occurred on October 6, 2025, inside the family’s home on Cary Avenue in Staten Island. Prosecutors allege Hurstel bludgeoned 45-year-old Anthony Casalaspro to death using a meat tenderizer.
Law enforcement sources have said Hurstel told investigators he wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone. After the initial assault, police allege he attempted to decapitate Casalaspro, first using a knife and then switching to a hand saw when he became frustrated.
Following his arrest, Hurstel allegedly made disturbing statements to officers at the NYPD’s 120th Precinct, claiming he planned to liquefy the body in a blender and dispose of the remains by flushing them down a toilet, beginning with the victim’s brain.
Events Leading Up to the Attack
Police said tensions were already high earlier that day. Hurstel reportedly argued with his mother, Alicia Zayas, prompting Casalaspro to intervene and suggest the teen take a walk to cool down.
Investigators believe Hurstel left the house briefly and returned to find Casalaspro alone. It was then, authorities say, that the fatal attack occurred.
Crime scene photos later showed Hurstel covered in blood and restrained on a stretcher as officers took him into custody and transported him to a local hospital for evaluation.
Court Appearance and Current Status
During Thursday’s court appearance, Hurstel — described as 6 feet tall and slender — wore khaki medical scrubs and appeared focused throughout the proceedings. Observers noted that he smiled briefly after spotting his mother and uncle seated in the courtroom.
Judge Alexander Jeong ordered Hurstel to return to court on February 10, as the case moves toward further hearings that are expected to address both criminal responsibility and psychiatric evaluations.
Hurstel remains confined to Rikers Island’s psychiatric unit while awaiting the next stage of legal proceedings.
Broader Mental Health and Public Safety Concerns
The case has renewed debate over how severe mental illness is managed once individuals reach adulthood. Under New York law, parents generally lose the authority to enforce medication compliance when a child turns 18, even if the individual has a documented psychiatric history.
Mental health advocates warn that gaps in treatment, particularly for conditions like schizophrenia, can increase the risk of crisis situations if patients stop taking medication or lose access to consistent care.
Conclusion
As prosecutors prepare to pursue serious homicide charges, the defense is signaling that Hurstel’s mental state will be the central issue for the court to decide. The upcoming hearings are expected to focus on psychiatric evaluations and whether the teen can be held criminally responsible for the violence that left Anthony Casalaspro dead.
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