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.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Universities warn state funding delays are wasting millions in taxpayer investment
Trump seeks 44% increase to boost military budget to $1.5 trillion
Illinois Quick Hits: Loyola student’s alleged killer faces federal firearm charge
U.S. adds 178k jobs in ‘strong’ March report amid Iran conflict
Will County Kicks Off Comprehensive Land Resource Management Plan Update with Focus on Proactive Zoning and Environmental Justice
Infighting and Calls for Resignation Disrupt Will County Board Meeting
Lincoln-Way 210 Awards $1.98 Million Contract for Network Cabling Upgrades
Will County Land Use Committee Splits Votes on Massive Earthrise Solar Projects Amid Intense Public Opposition
Groups react to HHS, EPA flagging microplastics for further study
After $241M verdict vs Prairie Farms, Travelers sued for $2B for ‘bad faith’
National debt over 4x greater than reported, accounting group says
FBI cracks down on alleged $60M hospice fraud in LA County
