Lights Out 258: Drug Trips, Satanic Worship & A Brutal Murder That Shocked Long Island
Aug 11, 2025
Dive into the chilling tales of the satanic panic of the 80s, revealing how fear and drugs marred a community. Explore the troubled life of Richard Allen Casso Jr., from a chaotic upbringing to his descent into a dark world of crime and obsession. Witness the horrifying escalation leading to a brutal murder, marked by distorted memories and community shock. The discussion uncovers the broader issues of youth behavior, familial neglect, and the impact of music on identity, all amidst a backdrop of moral panic.
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Abusive Home Shaped Ricky's Descent
- Ricky grew up with a father who pressured and physically abused him over football, which drove him away from home and into drugs.
- That abusive dynamic became a central factor in Ricky Casso's drift into homelessness and crime.
Knights Were An Image, Not A Cult
- The Knights of the Black Circle functioned more like a drug-selling youth crew using satanic imagery for shock and protection.
- Media and locals later exaggerated that image into a full-blown satanic cult narrative.
Satanic Imagery Was Largely Theatrical
- The group borrowed Anton LaVey's theatrics and satanic symbolism to rebel rather than to worship a literal devil.
- That performative defiance was easily misunderstood and sensationalized by the community and press.
