Overview
- Damien Hurstel, 19, made his first in-person appearance in Richmond County on Oct. 17 and entered a not guilty plea in the killing of Anthony Casalaspro, 45.
- Judge Raymond Rodriguez ordered Hurstel to remain jailed with medical and psychiatric care and on suicide watch, and his lawyer says he was moved to solitary at Rikers earlier this week.
- Defense attorney Mark Fonte entered a not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity plea, saying Hurstel struggles to separate fantasy from reality.
- Hurstel faces second-degree murder, manslaughter and weapons charges, with the next court date set for Nov. 20.
- Graphic accounts based on police sources and photos describe decapitation and items found at the scene, while claims about a blender and other details remain sourced to anonymous statements.