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

Illinois Quick Hits: Independents launch campaigns for governor, Congress

Illinois Quick Hits: Independents launch campaigns for governor, Congress

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Independent gubernatorial candidate Collin Corbett has filed petitions to challenge Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Republican Darren Bailey...
South Carolina off the redistricting bandwagon

South Carolina off the redistricting bandwagon

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Cross South Carolina off the redistricting list that has swept the nation since the storm blew out of Texas in July. Usually done after apportionment...
frankfort fire district graphic logo.6

Frankfort Fire District Weighs Property Insurance Renewal Amid 29% Rate Increase

Frankfort Fire Protection District Board of Trustees Meeting | April 21, 2026 Article Summary: The Frankfort Fire Protection District board heard competing property and casualty insurance renewal proposals at its...
Screenshot 2026-05-21 at 5.01.25 PM

John Burica and Zach Brown Assume Key Leadership Roles in Frankfort Administration

Frankfort Village Board Meeting | May 18, 2026 Article Summary:Frankfort finalized its administrative reorganization following the retirement of long-time Administrator Rob Piscia, appointing John Burica as Village Administrator and Zach...
frankfort-park-district

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners for April 14, 2026

Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners Meeting | April 14, 2026 Overall Meeting Summary: The Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners met Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Founders Community...
Meta to ask appeals court to end biometrics suit over Messenger filters

Meta to ask appeals court to end biometrics suit over Messenger filters

By Scott Holland | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Southern Illinois federal judge will allow Meta to ask a federal appeals panel if its Facebook Messenger program can be subject...
Paxton pushes Cornyn out of longtime U.S. Senate seat

Paxton pushes Cornyn out of longtime U.S. Senate seat

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday ousted four-term incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn during a night of major upsets and a race that got...
Costco says no refunds owed to customers for tariff price hikes

Costco says no refunds owed to customers for tariff price hikes

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square CHICAGO — Warehouse club retail giant Costco says it doesn't owe its customers any refunds for higher prices they paid when Costco...
Dems decide against joining fraud roundtable at White House

Dems decide against joining fraud roundtable at White House

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Democratic attorneys general decided against attending a Tuesday roundtable at the White House to discuss fraud in welfare, including Medicaid. Speaking to reporters during a...
VA launches MDMA trial years in the making for veterans

VA launches MDMA trial years in the making for veterans

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on Tuesday launched a clinical trial testing MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder,...
AI safety regulations advance in Springfield, despite industry concern

AI safety regulations advance in Springfield, despite industry concern

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A push to regulate artificial intelligence products in Illinois has taken a major step toward becoming law....
EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Border Patrol chief retires after historic drop in illegal border crossings

EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Border Patrol chief retires after historic drop in illegal border crossings

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Mike Banks, who was the first U.S. Border Patrol chief during President Donald Trump’s second term, has reentered retirement after helping bring illegal border crossings...
White House urges state AGs to target, punish Medicaid fraudsters

White House urges state AGs to target, punish Medicaid fraudsters

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square White House officials urged a group of state attorneys general to partner with the Trump administration to combat fraud in welfare programs and hold fraudsters...
NASA unveils $1B moon base push amid cost questions

NASA unveils $1B moon base push amid cost questions

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square NASA unveiled nearly $1 billion in new moon base contracts Tuesday as its top official called for less reliance on taxpayer funding and a faster...
Drug-discount program likely to expand in Illinois, despite lax oversight

Drug-discount program likely to expand in Illinois, despite lax oversight

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An initiative to expand a federal program that provides drug discounts to hospitals and clinics in Illinois...