Sean Grayson Convicted in High-Profile Murder Trial for the Shooting Death of Sonya Massey

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PEORIA, Ill. (WGN/AP) An Illinois jury has found a former sheriff’s deputy guilty of second-degree murder in the case of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who reached out to 911 for assistance.

The verdict against Sean Grayson was delivered by a jury composed of nine women and three men on Wednesday.

Responding to Massey’s call about a prowler near her Springfield home on July 6, 2024, Grayson encountered Massey holding a pan of hot water. His defense team claimed he feared she might use it against him.

In a related case, teenagers were convicted of murder and manslaughter in the death of a 3-year-old.

The trial of the 31-year-old former Sangamon County Deputy was moved to Peoria to avoid pre-trial publicity. The jury began deliberations on Tuesday, spending over six hours before continuing their discussions on Wednesday.

In July 2024, a 911 call led Grayson and his partner to respond to Massey’s home, who believed someone was trying to break in. The call for help turned deadly during a confrontation over her handling of a pot of hot water.

Video shows Massey putting her hands up as she removed the pot from the stove. Then, Massey said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson yelled at her to drop the pot and threatened to shoot her. Massey apologized and ducked behind a counter.

Prosecutors accuse Grayson of using excessive force, fatally shooting Massey inside her Springfield home.

“Sonya’s death was senseless and avoidable,” prosecutors told the jury.

Bodycam video shows Grayson firing off three shots, one of the bullets hitting Massey beneath her left eye. Prosecutors also allege that afterward, Grayson failed to immediately perform life-saving CPR.

A pathologist during the trial testified that immediate care would have improved her chances of survival.

John Milhiser, the Sangamon County State’s Attorney, told jurors that Grayson’s actions constitute first-degree murder. Ultimately, the jury decided on the lesser second-degree murder charge.

Grayson, who took the stand in his own defense Monday, argued that he feared for his safety and that the use of deadly force “matched the threat level.”

Jurors agreed on a second-degree murder conviction, which applies when there is a “serious provocation” or when defendants believe their actions are justified even though that belief is unreasonable.

Grayson faces a sentence of four to 20 years in prison or probation when he is sentenced Jan. 29.