
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.
A Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy shot the 36-year-old, unarmed Black woman in her home after she called police for help.
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
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
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
The death of Sonya Massey revived a nationwide conversation on police brutality. What is law enforcement doing to ensure this never happens again?
Sean Grayson had a history of credibility issues. It didn’t stop him from being hired at police departments in Central Illinois.
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
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,
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
Sean Grayson, the former sheriff’s deputy facing murder charges for killing Sonya Massey in Sangamon County, Illinois, left a previous agency after complaints were filed against him for claims of inappropriate conduct with a female detainee and retaliation against her boyfriend after she filed a complaint. Invisible Institute, Illinois Public Media and the Investigative Reporting
The fired sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson, who is white, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct charges in Massey’s killing. He was fired last week by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.