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.
Rain Showers
Latest News Stories
Judge Orders Will County Board to Approve Previously Denied Solar Farm Permits
WATCH: California probe ends $267M in alleged hospice fraud
Ex-Blago attorney: Quid pro quo is key to Madigan appeal
Illinois Quick Hits: House GOP says no Bears deal without property tax reform
WATCH: More than $600 million stolen from SNAP in 2025
Melania Trump denies any relationship with Jeffrey Epstein
War Powers Resolution halting Trump’s Iran ambitions fails in U.S. House
Answers wanted to ‘pathetic’ state procurement issues
Report paints dismal picture of California’s jobs market
Report: U.S. added $1.2 trillion to national debt in six months
Illinois House pushes through bill restricting ICE detention centers in state
Cheaper gas could take time amid tentative ceasefire
