A Staten Island teenager, charged with the shocking murder of his mother’s boyfriend, displayed an unsettling calmness as he pleaded not guilty in court on Friday.
Damien Herstel, 19, walked into a Richmond County courtroom, his presence largely unnoticed. This was his first appearance following accusations of killing and dismembering 45-year-old Anthony Casaraspro in a West Brighton apartment last week.
During the hearing, when Judge Raymond Rodriguez asked about his plea, Herstel, with his unkempt hair covering one eye, simply said, “Yes.” That was the only time he spoke.
Seven family members sat silent in the courtroom as Herstel entered wearing a wrinkled orange jumpsuit, appearing detached and oddly serene.
Herstel has been described as mentally ill and was charged shortly after a video confession from his hospital bed regarding the brutal attack on Casaraspro on October 6.
Reports indicate that Herstel’s mother had previously recounted a disturbing moment where he allegedly showed her dismembered remains to his younger sister.
His mother, Alicia Zayas, recalled his bewilderment as he seemed to ponder how to “fix” the situation, tears forming in her eyes as she described his reaction.
Zayas’s daughter had called her, saying, “Damien killed Anthony, and Anthony has no head.”
Images from the crime scene revealed a chilling tableau: Casaraspro’s head next to his body in the shower, with a saw and a bowl nearby. One disturbing detail showed a spoon protruding from the severed head, while a plastic ladle rested on the dismembered torso.
Police reports stated that Herstel expressed intentions to dismember the body further, even suggesting he would use a blender to dispose of the parts, starting with the brain.
In court, he did not seem affected by the gravity of the situation. He sat staring ahead, not even brushing aside his hair when it fell in front of his face.
Judge Raymond ordered Herstel to remain in custody, receive psychiatric evaluation, and be placed on suicide watch.
He is set to return to court on November 20.
Zayas chose not to comment post-hearing.
