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

Bipartisan praise for federal charges in Minnesota fraud cases

Bipartisan praise for federal charges in Minnesota fraud cases

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota officials are applauding after federal prosecutors announced sweeping fraud charges against 15 people accused of stealing more than $90 million from state-managed Medicaid programs....
Congress rejects Trump's proposed NASA budget cuts

Congress rejects Trump’s proposed NASA budget cuts

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square House lawmakers advanced a spending bill rejecting President Donald Trump's proposed cuts to NASA, keeping the agency's budget flat at $24.4 billion. The White House...
Comptroller, Chicago officials debate tax fund sweeps

Comptroller, Chicago officials debate tax fund sweeps

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration are at odds over legislation that would...
No public funds for new transit safety group

No public funds for new transit safety group

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office says no public funds are being used for the agency’s new...
The future of American troops in Europe; Iran lead Rubio's meeting with NATO

The future of American troops in Europe; Iran lead Rubio’s meeting with NATO

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Defense spending, troop placement and Iran took center stage during a meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and NATO leaders on Friday in Sweden....
Tennessee congressman files articles of impeachment against Roberts

Tennessee congressman files articles of impeachment against Roberts

By Kim JarrettThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, filed six articles of impeachment against U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts, saying Roberts's leadership is marked by "arbitrary, unexplained,...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicagoland chamber opposes ditigal ad tax

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicagoland chamber opposes ditigal ad tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce is urging the Illinois legislature to reject a proposed new tax on...
Board suspends Camp Mystic co-owner's nursing license

Board suspends Camp Mystic co-owner’s nursing license

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Texas Board of Nursing has suspended the nursing license of Mary Liz Eastland, a co-owner of Camp Mystic, the flooded all-girls camp in Hunt,...
Screenshot 2026-05-21 at 5.01.25 PM

Modified American Islamic Association Expansion Approved Amid Intense Neighborhood Concerns

Frankfort Village Board Meeting | May 18, 2026 Article Summary:The Frankfort Village Board has approved a revised major change to the American Islamic Association's Planned Unit Development, greenlighting building and...
Illinois bill banning ‘easily convertible’ handguns could pass this session

Illinois bill banning ‘easily convertible’ handguns could pass this session

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois measure to prohibit the sale and manufacture of handguns some legislators say are “easily convertible”...
Deadline approaches for $1 million school choice award

Deadline approaches for $1 million school choice award

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The June 1 deadline for a $1 million Yass Prize school choice award is approaching, and education providers nationwide are encouraged to apply. The Yass...
Biometrics privacy law’s territorial reach limited, appeals court says

Biometrics privacy law’s territorial reach limited, appeals court says

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Amazon has turned aside another attempt to use Illinois' stringent biometrics privacy law to extract a potentially big payout from the company,...
Watchdog says Biden Education Department defied court order on Title IX enforcement

Watchdog says Biden Education Department defied court order on Title IX enforcement

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education still has not released a final investigative report about allegations that the Biden administration ignored federal court orders on Title...
Congress skips town without passing $72B immigration enforcement bill

Congress skips town without passing $72B immigration enforcement bill

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square In an epic breakdown of negotiations, Congress is leaving town without voting on Republicans’ roughly $72 billion budget reconciliation bill. Senate Republicans ultimately deadlocked Thursday...
EPA slashes regulations on refrigerants finalized during Biden-era

EPA slashes regulations on refrigerants finalized during Biden-era

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The Environmental Protection Agency is slashing some regulations on refrigerants finalized in the Biden-era in an effort it says will reduce grocery costs for Americans...