Prior to his birth, his older brother, who was named Joseph Thomas Grasso, was killed at the age of 4 when a neighbor backed a car over him.

In October 1990, he left the area and went with his girlfriend, Lana, to stay at her grandma's house in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

[3][4] On December 24, 1990, Grasso strangled Hilda Johnson, an 87-year-old woman, using her Christmas tree lights in her Tulsa home.

[3][4] Six months later, after moving to New York with Lana, his now wife, he murdered Leslie Holtz, an 81-year-old man from Staten Island, on July 4, 1991, stealing his Social Security check.

[3][4] New York detectives investigating the murder of Leslie Holtz arrested Grasso and within two weeks he had confessed to police.

Grasso pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years to life on April 21, 1992, for the murder of Holtz.

Shortly before 10:00 p.m., three hours before his execution time, he issued the third statement in the form of a light-hearted poem commemorating his forthcoming dispatch.

What "last call" means when serving Toxahol.Grasso's last meal was two dozen steamed mussels, two dozen steamed clams (flavored by a wedge of lemon), a double cheeseburger from Burger King, a half-dozen barbecued spare ribs, two strawberry milkshakes, one-half of a pumpkin pie with whipped cream, diced strawberries, and he requested a can of SpaghettiOs with meatballs though he used his last words to claim that kitchen staff did not honor this request.

About 1:00 a.m., with Grasso strapped to the gurney, warden Ron Ward picked up a phone in the witness room and spoke to Governor Keating, who granted permission to proceed from his official residence in Oklahoma City.