KINGWOOD — A June hearing has been set for a Kingwood man’s attempt to get a triple murder conviction overthrown.
James DeGasperin Jr. was convicted in 2008 of killing his pregnant girlfriend, Lori Casteel, and Casteel’s 4-year-old son, Collin Casteel. He was convicted of three counts of second-degree murder and two counts of concealing human bodies.
DeGasperin, now 48, was sentenced to 92-100 years in prison. According to the State Division of Corrections website, his next parole hearing will be April 16, 2039. Without parole, DeGasperin’s projected release date is April 16, 2057.
Senior Status Judge Larry Starcher is hearing the petition for a writ of habeas corpus. It is not an appeal but an attempt to show that he is unlawfully imprisoned because he did not receive a fair trial.
Starcher said Wednesday that he was appointed to the case in 2018 and wants to move it forward. He set a June 2 hearing date.
Preston Prosecuting Attorney Melvin C. Snyder III noted that Senior Status Judge Lawrance Miller Jr. previously refused to overturn the conviction. Miller’s action was upheld by the State Supreme Court.
DeGasperin is being represented by attorney Jeremy Cooper.
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