Thomas J. Grasso
Serial Murder / Robbery
Oklahoma, USA
American
1990–1991
Capital Execution
EXECUTED (1995)
Thomas J. Grasso was convicted for the murders of Hilda Johnson (87) in 1990 and Leslie Holtz (81) in 1991. Both victims were strangled in their homes during robberies, with Grasso stealing modest amounts of social security money from them.
He was executed by lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester on March 20, 1995. His case is most frequently cited in media due to his final statement, which focused on a perceived clerical error regarding his final meal.
Grasso requested an elaborate final meal. However, he expressed profound dissatisfaction after the administration failed to provide the specific brand of pasta he demanded:
- 2 dozen steamed mussels
- 2 dozen steamed clams
- Half-dozen barbecued spare ribs
- 2 Burger King double cheeseburgers
- Half-pumpkin pie
- Strawberry milkshake
- 1 can of SpaghettiOs with meatballs
Grasso’s final words were directed at the news media regarding his meal: “I did not get my SpaghettiOs, I got spaghetti. I want the press to know this.”
