Ex-deputy sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Sonya Massey
(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.
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
U.S. to build nuclear reactor on Moon by 2030, cost unknown
WATCH: Gov. Polis calls out Republicans in State of the State
Republican senators introduce bill to address childcare, immigration fraud
More than $1 billion spent on noncitizen hospital costs in fiscal 2025
IL Senate GOP: Pritzker, not Trump, raised power bills
SC weighs whether Amazon must pay workers for mandatory COVID screenings
Federal judge allows New York wind project to proceed
Goodlander faces federal probe over ‘illegal orders’ video
Pennsylvania lawmakers criticize violent ICE encounters
Trump says ‘Great Healthcare Plan’ will save $36 billion
Trump threatens invoking Insurrection Act after Venezuelan national shot
Maine officials brace for ICE operations
