Ex-deputy sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Sonya Massey

Ex-deputy sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Sonya Massey

January 29, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatally shooting Sonya Massey at her Springfield home in July 2024.

A jury convicted Sean Grayson of second-degree murder Oct. 29. On Thursday morning in Springfield, Judge Ryan Cadigan handed down the maximum allowed sentence for Grayson’s crime.

In a statement from the Massey Commission for Sangamon County, Sonya’s cousin, Sontae Massey, said Sonya’s death would follow her for the rest of her life.

“It is a permanent reminder of what happens when power is exercised without humanity, when a life is treated as disposable,” Sontae Massey stated.

The trial was in Peoria after Grayson’s legal team argued local news coverage of Massey’s death would make it impossible to find an impartial jury.

In the early morning hours of July 6, 2024, Massey called police about a suspected prowler. Two Sangamon County Sheriff deputies arrived on the scene. Body camera footage released by Illinois State Police showed Grayson confronting Massey and threatening to shoot her in the face.

Massey was then shot in the head.

Greg Bishop contributed to this story.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Will County Board Graphic.03

Landfill Committee Advances Plan to Purchase Fourth Compressor for RNG Plant

Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: The Landfill Committee voted to move forward with engineering estimates for a fourth compressor at the Prairie View Renewable...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Ad-Hoc Committee Retains Noise Ordinance Despite Enforcement Frustrations

Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: The Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee voted to retain the county’s public nuisance noise ordinance despite members describing...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Will County Commits $15M to Transfer Sanitary District Operations to City of Joliet

Will County Board Meeting | January 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board has authorized an intergovernmental agreement to dissolve the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District and transfer its water...
Attorneys review Chicago Teachers Union audits following congressional request

Attorneys review Chicago Teachers Union audits following congressional request

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Teachers Union says it has complied with a U.S. House committee’s request to release financial...
DHS: ICE agent shoots, kills armed Minneapolis man; protests erupt

DHS: ICE agent shoots, kills armed Minneapolis man; protests erupt

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Federal agents shot and killed an armed man in Minneapolis Saturday morning, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said. "At 9:05 AM CT, as DHS...
'They deserve their story': Bill aims to open foster care files

‘They deserve their story’: Bill aims to open foster care files

By Cat Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are moving to ensure families adopting children from the state’s foster care system receive...
Under Trump, Big Bend CBP Sector in Texas making history

Under Trump, Big Bend CBP Sector in Texas making history

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The far west Texas U.S. Customs and Border Protection sector of Big Bend made history under the Biden and Trump administrations – for different reasons....
lincoln way school district 210 logo.1

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way 210 Board of Education for Jan. 15, 2026

Lincoln-Way 210 Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 15, 2026 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education met on Thursday, January 15, 2026, covering a...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Square Park District for Dec. 1, 2025

Frankfort Square Park District Meeting | Dec. 1, 2025 The Frankfort Square Park District Board of Commissioners met on Monday, Dec. 1, to finalize the annual tax levy and discuss...
will county board meeting graphic.5

Prairie View Landfill Expansion Plans Take Shape as Consultants Navigate Design Challenges

Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: Geologic Associates presented a detailed status update on the proposed expansion of the Prairie View Landfill, outlining a dual...
Pro-life marchers say fight against abortion isn't over

Pro-life marchers say fight against abortion isn’t over

By Emily RodriguezThe Center Square Despite the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the March for Life continues. With the decision to ban or support abortion now in the hands of...
Govt. funding process close to finish line as Senate preps for final vote

Govt. funding process close to finish line as Senate preps for final vote

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The ball is in the U.S. Senate’s court to avert a government shutdown Jan. 30, with six fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills signed into law...
Dodgers' first baseman loses $2M on home sale after taxes

Dodgers’ first baseman loses $2M on home sale after taxes

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Selling a high-value property in Los Angeles? Tax experts advise caution: You could be in the same boat as Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman....
California sues Trump administration over oil pipelines

California sues Trump administration over oil pipelines

By Dave MasonThe Center Square California is suing the Trump administration over its decision to take control of two state pipelines and permit Sable Offshore Corp. to restart pumping oil...
HHS won't use taxpayer dollars for research using aborted fetal tissue

HHS won’t use taxpayer dollars for research using aborted fetal tissue

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is banning the use of human fetal tissue sourced from elective abortion in federally funded research. Under...