An Illinois judge sentenced a former deputy sheriff to 20 years in prison Thursday for the 2024 fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who called 911 about a possible prowler near her home. A jury had convicted Sean Grayson, who is white, of second-degree murder in October.
In addition to the maximum sentence time, Grayson, 31, was placed on two years of supervised probation after his release.
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During his sentencing hearing, he apologized and said he wished he could spare Massey’s family the pain he caused and bring her back.
“I made a lot of mistakes that night,” Grayson said, according to The Associated Press. “There were points when I should’ve acted, and I didn’t. I froze. I made terrible decisions that night. I’m sorry.”
Massey’s family pleaded with the judge to give Grayson the maximum sentence as they said the shooting left them afraid to call police.
Before the October verdict, the jury was asked to consider second-degree murder as opposed to first-degree murder. According to Illinois law, second-degree murder is applicable when a person faces “serious provocation” or believes their action is justified even if the belief is unreasonable.
First-degree murder would have resulted in a 45-year or life sentence.
“Twenty years is not enough,” Massey’s daughter, Summer, told reporters.
Suffering a mental health crisis
Massey’s family have said that the day of the shooting, the 36-year-old mother of two experienced a mental health crisis. Body camera footage recorded by Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Dawson Farley helped the prosecution.
Dawson wasn’t charged in the shooting.
According to his video, the two deputies checked Massey’s Springfield, Illinois, home before informing her that they didn’t find anything suspicious. When the two entered her home to get further details about the suspected prowler, Grayson noticed a pot of water boiling on the stove. He ordered Massey to remove the pot and she picked the cookware up.
While holding the pot, Massey asked Grayson why he was backing up. He said he was getting out of her way, to which she responded, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”
Grayson later testified he believed Massey planned to throw the boiling water at him. Both deputies drew their guns because officers are trained to use force to get compliance, he said.
He told the court that he interpreted Massey’s comments to be a threat to his life and ordered her to drop the pot, which started a commotion. He fired his gun three times, hitting Massey below her left eye, when she appeared to retrieve the cookware.
Farley testified he did not view Massey’s actions or statements as a threat and admitted during a cross-examination he initially reported to investigators about gearing for his safety because of the hot water.
After the shooting, Farley used dish towels to put pressure on Massey’s wound and as Grayson retrieved his medical kit, he said the help wasn’t necessary. Grayson tossed the kit on the floor saying, “I’m not even gonna waste my med stuff then.”
Prosecutors said the statement demonstrated Grayson’ disregard for public safety.
