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.
Chance Rain Showers
Latest News Stories
Polling: Texas’ U.S. Senate race statiscally tied
Major TdA busts in Texas, Illinois, charges include murder, kidnapping
Vought cites $30B war cost as his agency seeks $67B for conflict
Pritzker defends state ban on semiautomatic weapons
GOP hardliners vow to blockade must-pass bills unless voter ID demands met
Illinois Quick Hits: AG, Chicago Law Department hail Massachusetts ruling
EXCLUSIVE: GOP lawmaker wants Omar records after fraud arrest
Pritzker, Benton’s GOP challenger weigh in calls for resignation
Fireworks buyers flock to neighboring states
America 250: The role of prayer and ‘in God we Trust’ in America’s founding and beyond
Pete Hegseth honors members of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force
War Department drops $10M for skilled trades program
