Jury selection is underway in Illinois for a former sheriff’s deputy accused of shooting and killing Sonya Massey, 36, after she called police for a possible prowler. The former deputy, Sean Grayson, is facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder and official misconduct, in a case that led to a new state law.
Grayson is charged with firing several shots at Massey in her Springfield, Illinois, home in 2024. He later claimed he feared she would assault him with a pot of boiling water. Massey’s family has said she had suffered a mental health crisis that day.
Grayson has pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted of first-degree murder, he could face 45 years or life in prison, according to The Associated Press.
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Sangamon Chief Judge Ryan Cadagin moved the trial from Springfield 73 miles north to Peoria due to the publicity surrounding the case. Massey’s killing sparked nationwide protests as several activists and activist groups called for justice for her family.
Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump announced in February the Massey family reached a $10 million settlement with Sangamon County officials, ending a wrongful death lawsuit the woman’s family filed. Massey is survived by her two children.
Body camera footage of shooting
The Associated Press reported that body camera footage of the incident showed Grayson and another deputy checking Massey’s home and later letting the woman know they didn’t find anything suspicious.
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Sonya Massey’s family settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Sangamon County, Illinois, for $10 million.
When the two entered her home to get details for police, Grayson saw a pot on the stove boiling with water. He ordered her to remove the pot and she picked the cookware up.
Massey, holding the pot, asked Grayson why he was backing up, to which he replied to avoid the water. Massey then said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”
Grayson later said he interpreted her remark as a threat to his life. He drew his 9 mm pistol and ordered Massey to drop the pot. She apologized and complied before hiding behind a counter. The footage showed Grayson yelling and Massey appears to pick the cookware up again. Grayson fired his gun three times, fatally striking Massey below her left eye.
Massey’s killing sparks new state law
Nearly a year after her killing, Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, signed legislation requiring disclosures of a police officer’s background, including nonpublic settlement agreements, according to The Associated Press.
The law followed a review of Grayson’s record, which revealed he had two driving under the influence convictions within a year. He was kicked out of the Army after the first conviction. Grayson then held four part-time law enforcement jobs in six years. One employer said he was sloppy in handling evidence, and others said he was impulsive.
The Associated Press reported that the law wouldn’t have prevented Grayson from being hired. Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell was aware of Grayson’s performance and forced the deputy to repeat Illinois’ 16-week police training course. Campbell retired early after the shooting.
The legislation required prospective police officers to sign waivers to allow past employers to release unredacted documents such as job performance reports, fit-for-duty reports, court records and separation agreements. For court-sealed documents or resistant employers, a hiring agency could inspect documents through a judge’s approval or court action.
Kenny Winslow, executive director of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, helped negotiate the law’s content and told the AP that what’s in the legislation “should be minimally done in a background check.”
