He strangled Hilda Johnson, an 87-year-old woman, using her Christmas tree lights on December 24, 1990, in her Tulsa home. Six months later, after moving to New Half pie with his wife, Lana, he murdered Leslie Holtz, an 81-year-old man from Staten Island, on July 4, 1991, stealing his Social Security check. New York detectives investigating the murder of Leslie Holtz arrested Grasso and within two weeks he had confessed to police. He first told investigators about the Staten Island killing, then about the murder of Hilda Johnson.
Grasso pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years to life on April 21, 1992. The New York legislature had passed legislation that would have restored the state’s death penalty, but governors Hugh Carey and Mario Cuomo, who were both morally opposed to the death penalty, vetoed the legislation. Grasso’s case became an issue in George E. Pataki’s gubernatorial campaign and 11 days after Pataki took office, Grasso was extradited, fulfilling the new governor’s campaign pledge. He was allowed one hour’s exercise per day and three showers per week.
