Massey attorneys announce $10 million settlement in wrongful death case
The Sangamon County Board approved the settlement on Tuesday, seven months after a deputy shot the unarmed woman in her home near Springfield
Tag: Sonya Massey
Sangamon County reaches settlement with Sonya Massey’s family
A memo shows county officials have negotiated with the family’s lawyers and both sides reached a deal for the county to pay $10 million.
US Justice Department, Illinois sheriff agree to policing upgrades after Sonya Massey shooting death
A Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy shot the 36-year-old, unarmed Black woman in her home after she called police for help.
Appellate Court finds former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson should be released until trial
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.
In wake of Massey shooting, Sangamon County target of DOJ Investigation
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.
Sean Grayson, who killed Sonya Massey, committed misconduct at prior jobs. Another one of his cases just got dropped
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.
Grayson, Massey family await court decision that could allow for his release from jail
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
Sangamon County Sheriff says she will increase vetting for deputies after Sonya Massey killing
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
In the wake of Sonya Massey’s death, Springfield will test a new way to handle mental health calls
Massey’s death at the hands of police has prompted calls for change, but would those changes have been enough to prevent her killing? Sonya Massey, 36, was seeking mental health treatment up until the day she was shot and killed by former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson. County records show 911 calls from Sonya
In Sangamon County, Grayson wasn’t the only deputy hired with a DUI on his record
Former Sheriff Jack Campbell retired amid scrutiny of his personnel decisions. Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell came under fire for his hiring practices after he employed a deputy with two DUI convictions, who is now accused of the murder of an unarmed black woman in her kitchen. But it wasn’t the first time he chose
Blue lines and Black lives, Urbana and Champaign’s police chiefs on Sonya Massey with, trauma researcher Alesha Lewis
The death of Sonya Massey revived a nationwide conversation on police brutality. What is law enforcement doing to ensure this never happens again?
Before killing Sonya Massey, Sean Grayson had a case thrown out after bringing charges with no evidence. Departments kept hiring him
Sean Grayson had a history of credibility issues. It didn’t stop him from being hired at police departments in Central Illinois.
Massey Commission plans first listening session
The newly formed Massey Commission will host its first listening session this month. The commission, which includes officials and members of the public, was created in response to the killing of Sonya Massey this summer. The first session will be to understand the public’s hopes and concerns before finalizing the final mission and goals. Massey
Massey’s death underscores state delay in launching mental health response program
Law aimed at helping people experiencing crisis was originally set to go live in 2022 An Illinois law intended to help people with mental illness avoid confrontations with police had been on the books for three years when Sonya Massey was shot by a Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy. The Community Emergency Services and Supports Act,
Sangamon County Sheriff defends hiring of Sean Grayson. Experts say he was negligent and missed red flags
This story was originally published by Invisible Institute, IPM Newsroom and Illinois Times The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office hired now former deputy Sean Grayson despite his history of policing at five other police departments in 3 years, serious misconduct in the military and integrity issues at former jobs. Experts say this combination of issues should