Sean Grayson Found Guilty Of Second-Degree Murder
A jury has found former Illinois Sheriff's Deputy Sean Grayson guilty of second-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a Black mother of two who called 911 to seek help, only to be murdered in her own kitchen less than half an hour later.
NBC News reports that Grayson, who was originally charged with three counts of first-degree murder, was convicted of the lesser charge after jurors deliberated for nearly 11 hours. A conviction of first degree murder could mean up to life in prison. The conviction of second-degree murder can carry a sentence of anywhere from four to 20 years or, shamefully, release without prison time.
As previously reported by NewsOneMassey, 36, called authorities last July from her home in Springfield, Illinois, after she believed a prowler was outside. When deputies arrived, body camera footage showed Massey expressing fear that the officers might harm her, but Grayson dismissed her concerns, implying that it was unreasonable for her to think so.
According to body cam footage, after entering Massey's home and seeing a pot of boiling water on her stove, he told her: We don't need a fire while we're here.
Massey then poured the water into the sink and told the deputy, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” according to the video, prompting Grayson to somehow threaten to shoot her; before Massey apologized and ducked down behind a counter. When she got up, Grayson fatally shot her three times in the face.
Grayson would later insist that he fired fear in front of his security and his partner, but Illinois State Police investigators found no justification for his use of deadly force. The findings led to his termination from the sheriff's office and criminal charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct.
Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, who represented Massey's family, agreed NBC News that while they believe Grayson deserved a first-degree murder conviction, the second-degree conviction was “another measure of justice for Sonya Massey.”
“She was not a threat, she was never a threat, and that has been proven in court,” Romanucci added during a post-trial press conference.
Grayson's sentencing is set for January 29, 2026.
