(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the sentencing of 50-year-old Joseph Grippo for Manslaughter in the First Degree for fatally bludgeoning an ex-girlfriend’s love interest. Grippo was sentenced today to 20 years in prison plus 5 years post release supervision.
“No amount of incarceration will bring the victim back to his loved ones, but with this lengthy sentence, justice has been served and this defendant will no longer be able to harm others,” said Tierney. “The lives of all Suffolk County residents are valued and such acts will be met with penalties implemented to the fullest extent of the law.”
According to court documents and the defendant’s own admission, on June 6, 2019, shortly after 7 a.m., Grippo bludgeoned Robert Casado, 38, with a pick axe handle. Casado was on his way to work where he was a seasonal worker when he was ambushed by the defendant on Kirk Park Trail in Montauk.
Casado was known to the defendant, as they both had been romantically involved with the same woman.
The murder weapon was never recovered, however, Grippo admitted during his plea that he purchased the 36-inch murder weapon only a couple weeks earlier with the purpose of using it on Casado.
He also admitted that he was driven to the incident location by a witness who told investigators that he dropped Grippo off in close proximity to the incident location. That witness had no knowledge of Grippo’s plan to murder Casado. When Grippo called the witness to pick him up after the murder, the witness observed Grippo had blood on his hands and a “wooden object” also stained in blood in his possession. Grippo also admitted he got rid of the weapon following the murder at a recycling center in Montauk.
This case was heard before the Honorable Stephen Braslow. He was represented by Daniel Russo and Keith O’Halloran.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eric Aboulafia of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Emma Henry of the Grand Jury Unit.