
Sean Grayson’s attorneys seek new trial after murder conviction
Defense says judge should have barred video of minutes following Sonya Massey’s shooting.

Defense says judge should have barred video of minutes following Sonya Massey’s shooting.

An Illinois jury has convicted a sheriff’s deputy of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who called 911 to report a suspected prowler. The jury announced the verdict against Sean Grayson on Wednesday.

Sean Grayson arrived at Sonya Massey’s home in Springfield after she reported seeing a prowler early on July 6, 2024. At the time of the shooting, Massey was holding a pan of hot water.

The jury received the case at about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday following closing arguments in the trial of 31-year-old Sean Grayson. Grayson responded to Sonya Massey’s home in Springfield in July 2024 after her call about a prowler.

Former downstate police officer Sean Grayson told the jury that Massey’s vow to “rebuke him in the name of Jesus” led him to shoot her. His testimony drew scoffs from Massey’s mother.

Testimony resumes Monday in the trial of Sean Grayson, the former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot Sonya Massey.

Sean Grayson is accused of unlawfully using deadly force in the shooting of Sonya Massey last year.

The trial was moved to Peoria because of publicity. Testimony likely will feature a competition of experts on police training and expected practices and justified use of force by police.

Grayson was charged with first-degree murder after shooting Sonya Massey, 36, in her kitchen after she called to report a prowler outside her home southeast of Springfield in 2024.

The Sangamon County Board approved the settlement on Tuesday, seven months after a deputy shot the unarmed woman in her home near Springfield

Prosecutors will ask the Illinois Supreme Court to review an appellate court ruling that found former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson should be released from jail pending trial on charges related to the July 6 shooting death of Sonya Massey.

The U.S. Department of Justice’s civil rights probe will investigate the sheriff’s department, but also Sangamon County Central Dispatch and the county itself.

Former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson, who killed Sonya Massey, was accused of misconduct while employed at Central Illinois police departments. Some whose complaints were disregarded are speaking up about the harm that could have been prevented.

Former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson remains behind bars for the death of Sonya Massey. But a court is being asked to release him while he awaits his murder trial. Grayson, 30, is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He has pleaded not guilty. Grayson is being held

This story was originally published by Illinois Times The newly appointed Sangamon County sheriff plans to file records requests to obtain information from public agencies that have employed applicants for jobs as county deputies and correctional officers. Sheriff Paula Crouch also said she will mandate in-person visits to current and past employers, when possible, as