Sonya Massey shooting: Illinois Supreme Court reviews detention of former deputy charged in murder
The Brief
The Illinois Supreme Court is considering whether former deputy Sean Grayson, charged with fatally shooting Sonya Massey, should be released from jail while awaiting trial.
Grayson has been held without bond despite an appellate court ruling that, under Illinois' Pre-Trial Fairness Act, he qualifies for release with conditions.
The high-profile case, involving the killing of an unarmed woman who called 911, is set to go to trial in October in Peoria County.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The state's highest court will decide whether the former Illinois sheriff's deputy who fatally shot Sonya Massey will be let out of jail ahead of his trial.
Sean Grayson, 30, was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct for the July 6, 2024, shooting of Massey, an unarmed Black woman who had called 911 to report a suspected prowler.
Grayson has been held in Macon County Jail without bond despite a state appellate court ruling that the Pre-Trial Fairness Act, which eliminated cash bond in Illinois, dictates that he should be released with certain conditions.
The Illinois Supreme Court began hearing the appeal Wednesday.
The backstory
Massey called 911 in the early morning hours of July 6, 2024, to report a suspected prowler near her Springfield.
Body cam video released last July confirmed prosecutors' earlier account of the tense moment when Grayson yelled across a counter at Massey to set down a pot of hot water, aiming his 9mm pistol at her and threatening to shoot her in the face. He fired three times.
The unidentified deputy with Grayson then said he would get his medical kit, but Grayson said, "She done. You can go get it, but that's a head shot. There's nothing you can do, man."
***WARNING: The video below is graphic and disturbing. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.***
He later relented while the second deputy held towels to Massey's head to try to stem the bleeding, but by the time Grayson returned with his kit, emergency medical professionals had arrived and when they told Grayson his help wasn't needed, he threw his kit on the floor and said, "I'm not even gonna waste my med stuff then."
Massey struggled with mental illness, according to her family. Her son, 17-year-old Malachi Hill Massey, said that he and his 15-year-old sister had moved in with their father because Sonya Massey had admitted herself to a 30-day inpatient program in St. Louis sometime during the week before her death, but returned two days later without explanation.
Massey's family agreed to a $10 million settlement with Sangamon County in February.
The settlement does not impact the criminal case against Grayson.
Dig deeper
Grayson had been employed by a half-dozen police agencies between 2020 and the time of the shooting.
A circuit judge ruled the murder trial should be held in Peoria instead of Springfield because of intense publicity.
His career included short stints as a part-time officer at three small police departments and a full-time job at a fourth department as well as working full time at two sheriff's offices, all in central Illinois.
The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board shows Grayson was hired part time on Aug. 11, 2020, by the Pawnee Police Department. He also was hired part time on Feb. 4, 2021, by the Kincaid Police Department and on May 20, 2021, by the Virden Police Department.
Two months later, he was hired full time by the Auburn Police Department and remained there until May 1, 2022, when he was hired full time by the Logan County Sheriff's Office. Grayson left Logan County on April 28, 2023, and was hired full time on May 1, 2023, by the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office.
He received his part-time Law Enforcement Certification on June 5, 2021, according to the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.
What's next
The trial is scheduled to start on Oct. 20 in Peoria County.
If convicted, Grayson faces prison sentences of 45 years to life for murder, six to 30 years for battery and two to five years for misconduct.
The Source
The information in this article came from Illinois Supreme Court documents, The Associated Press and previous FOX 32 reporting.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Home of Seattle rapper Macklemore invaded, nanny maced: police
The Brief The home of Seattle rapper Macklemore was broken into and raided over the weekend while a nanny and three children were inside. The suspects allegedly sprayed the nanny with bear mace and stole valuables before fleeing the home. It's unclear if this incident is linked to other celebrity home break-ins in Seattle, with the investigation ongoing. SEATTLE - The home of Seattle rapper Macklemore was invaded over the weekend, Seattle police confirmed. A nanny looking over three children inside the home was maced and assaulted by two suspects, who ransacked the home of its valuables, according to the police report. What we know Two men allegedly entered Macklemore's residence through an unlocked patio door around 12:30 a.m. Saturday, and sprayed the nanny in the face with bear mace. The nanny told officers one of the suspects helped her clean the mace from her eyes before saying, "where are the jewels, bi—h?" Police say they then grabbed the nanny's arm as she led them around the house, where they raided various rooms and closets, getting away with numerous watches, jewelry and shoes they put into bags. At one point, the nanny said the men threw her to the ground and took her phone while assaulting her. She was able to escape after biting one of the suspect's hands, escaping through a bathroom, and fleeing to several neighbors' homes until someone allowed her inside to call police, according to the report. The incident happened after the nanny put three kids to sleep in their beds. The children were safely extracted after officers arrived and cleared the home. The nanny described the suspects as two Black males, one "taller one" and a "shorter one," wearing all black, face masks, gloves and tactical vests. This home invasion shares similarities to a series of other break-ins at the homes of several high-profile athletes in the Seattle area. Police recently arrested Earl Henderson Riley IV,the leader of a burglary ring that targeted pro athletes like Richard Sherman, Blake Snell and Luis Castillo. While the ringleader is in jail, his two accomplices remain on the loose, and court documents state they left behind bear spray in the home invasion of Seattle Mariners star Julio Rodriguez's home. What we don't know It's unclear if Seattle police believe this incident is related to the other series of celebrity home break-ins. The investigation is ongoing. The Source Information in this story came from a Seattle Police Department crime report and court documents from the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. Search for Travis Decker: Authorities identify 'new details, new search areas' in WA Former Army squadmate shares insight into Travis Decker's military past Woman dies after Seattle house fire; arson investigation underway Miles Hudson found guilty on 2 counts of reckless driving in Seattle 11 injured after teen speeds, causes fiery crash in Lacey Man hurt after shooting near University of Washington To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Deadly Paulding County shooting: Ridge Road gunman remains on the run
The Brief Paulding County authorities are investigating a fatal shooting near Ridge Road and Cohran Store Road involving a Black male suspect in a black SUV. The victim, who called 911 after being shot, drove to a fire station for help but later died at WellStar Paulding Hospital. Detectives are seeking information from witnesses and the public to locate the suspect and vehicle involved in the incident. PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. - Authorities in Paulding County are investigating a deadly shooting that occurred Monday afternoon near the intersection of Ridge Road and Cohran Store Road. What we know The Paulding County Sheriff's Office said the victim, who called 911 around 2:25 p.m., reported he had been shot during an altercation with a Black male driving a black SUV. After the shooting, the victim drove himself to Paulding County Fire Station 5 at 4215 Ridge Road in Douglasville to seek medical help. He was later taken to WellStar Paulding Hospital, where he died from his injuries. What we don't know The victim's name has not been released pending notification of next of kin. What's next Detectives are actively searching for the suspect and the vehicle involved in the shooting. What they're saying Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has information to contact the Paulding County Sheriff's Office Tip Line at (770) 443-3047 or submit a tip through the Paulding Sheriff mobile app. The Source The Paudling County Sheriff's Office provided the details for this article.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Yell County residents react to deputy fired over video with racist slur
DANVILLE, Ark. — The Yell County Sheriff's Department has fired a deputy after they say a video surfaced online of him using a racist slur. According to a statement from Yell County Sheriff R. Nick Gault, Jaxon Arndt allegedly uses 'obscene and racist language,' followed by an enthusiastic shout. Yell County deputy fired after using racial slur, weapon in controversial video Mike Beasley lives in Yell County and saw the video for the first time on Monday. 'It ain't no good man,' Beasley stated. 'There are not a lot of Black people over here.' When asked if the video was hard for him to believe, Beasley said, 'No.' 'I'm not in disbelief, but I do know a lot of cops here, a lot of them. I think they're good cops,' Beasley added. Monday morning, Sheriff Gault issued a full-page statement posted to the department's social media. Gault said when he learned of the video, he took immediate action and terminated Arndt. 'This type of behavior is deplorable and not at all in accordance with the values, ethics, and mission of a commissioned law enforcement officer in the state of Arkansas,' the statement reads. Hate groups in the US decline but their influence grows, report shows Isai Murillo lives in Yell County. He said he hopes the termination shows that nobody else can get away with something similar. 'As a brown guy, it's pretty scary,' Murillo said. 'I just want to see the department do better. You know, make us feel a lot safer than it already is.' Sheriff Gault said moving forward, Yell County will enroll deputies in additional mandatory training about racial discrimination and social media behaviors. 'I think they should be fired if they say that. You know what I mean. I think that should be a career-ending moment,' Beasley said. Gault said Arndt was a new hire who, in April, graduated as part of the Camden, Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA) Basic Police Training Class 2025-A. The program is 13 weeks long. Arndt was formerly a Yell County jailer and completed a 56-hour jail standards course in 2023. Student who was called racial slur on North Carolina school bus speaks out KARK 4 News attempted to reach out to former deputy Arndt, but he delisted his social media after the news broke. Sheriff Gault said he had no other way to reach him when asked. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
