Jury Begins Deliberations In Sean Grayson Murder Trail
Sean Grayson killed Sonya Massey, according to the state of Illinois, and they have presented a case for twelve jurors to decide whether they are right or not. Final arguments were heard this week, and APNews reports that the nine men and three women, only one of whom is Black, have begun their deliberation process.
“She makes it abundantly clear, 'I want no part of this. Let this be done,'” said Sangamon County First Assistant State's Attorney Mary Beth Rodgers in her closing argument. “She doesn't say, 'Let's go, Sean.' She says: 'I'm sorry.' He has no right to go into her kitchen, where she is hiding from an angry man with a gun, he has no right to follow her and shoot her.
Grayson's attorney Daniel Fultz tried to convince the jury that Massey posed a threat to his client despite the fact that we saw the video showing the opposite…
“He drew his weapon to get compliance, to make her realize that whatever she was considering doing, she shouldn't do,” Fultz said. “It's true that she put the pot down. If it ended there, we wouldn't be here today, but for reasons we'll never know, she got the pot back, got up and threw it in his direction. Only then did he fire his weapon.”
The first day of the 12-person first-degree case review lasted 6 1/2 hours before Judge Ryan Cadagin ordered them dismissed.
It is not often that an accused murderer takes the stand to testify on his own behalf. Even if they wanted to, most attorneys would advise against it because it can greatly sway how a jury views a defendant. The smallest misstep or lie can completely sink a defense. In this, in a case that could cost him his life, Grayson took the stand.
Grayson testified in his own defense, saying he considered using a Taser to subdue Massey, but was afraid it wouldn't work given the distance and the counter separating them. He said he determined Massey was a threat and only drew his 9mm pistol after she “reprimanded” her twice
Last time we checked, “punishment” wasn't a threat of death or great bodily harm. Throw the book at him.
