Ricky Kasso - The Murder

The Murder

The conflict between Kasso and Lauwers had started several months earlier when Lauwers allegedly stole 10 bags of PCP from Kasso's jacket, after he had passed out at a party. Kasso confronted him soon after the incident, prompting Lauwers to immediately return five of the ten bags of PCP. Lauwers also promised to repay Kasso $50 for the five bags of PCP that had been used, but failed to do so. As a result, Kasso reportedly beat Lauwers on four separate occasions. On the night of the murder, Kasso visited the small gazebo in the new Cow Harbor park and borrowed a radio from friend Mark Fisher. He then invited Lauwers to get high, claiming that he was ready to forgive the $50 debt and wanted to be friends. The group walked to Aztakea woods, set up camp and ingested several doses, or hits, of what they believed to be mescaline, but was most likely either PCP or LSD. The teens attempted to start a small fire, but all of the available firewood was too wet and would not ignite. Lauwers used his socks, as well as the sleeves from his denim jacket, as kindling to start the fire. The situation escalated into violence when Kasso suggested that they should also use some of Lauwer's hair as kindling for the fire. Kasso scuffled with Lauwers, bit him on the neck and stabbed him in the chest. Kasso continued his assault on Lauwers for an extended period of time, which was reported to have lasted three to four hours. Quinones claimed that Troiano helped Kasso and held Lauwers during the attack. During subsequent testimony he provided under immunity, however, Quinones did assume some responsibility for holding Lauwers down, as well as chasing Lauwers and dragging him back to Kasso when he had attempted to flee. Lauwers was stabbed somewhere between 17 and 36 times, incurred burns, and his eyeballs had been gouged out. It was also reported that stones had been shoved down his throat. During the attack, Kasso allegedly commanded Lauwers to "Say you love Satan", but Lauwers is said to have instead replied "I love my mother". After the attack, Kasso and Troiano covered Lauwers' body with leaves and small branches. As the group was departing Aztakea, Lauwers was reported to have sat up and repeated "I love my mother", causing Kasso to resume the attack until he was certain that Lauwers had died.