A white police officer sentenced to 20 years in prison for murdering a Black woman revealed he is battling stage 3 and 4 cancer in several organs shortly before his sentencing.

Sean Grayson, aged 31, was convicted of second-degree murder in October for fatally shooting Sonya Massey inside her home in Springfield, Illinois, in July 2024.

Massey, who was unarmed, had dialed 911 fearing a possible intruder.

During the sentencing on Thursday, Sangamon County Judge Ryan M. Cadagin delivered the maximum punishment, sentencing Grayson to 20 years for the murder of Massey.

Before the final verdict, Grayson’s attorney, Mark Wykoff, urged the judge to consider probation due to his client’s severe health condition.

The former officer received a diagnosis of stage 3 colon cancer around the time of his arrest in 2024.

The cancer, now stage 4, has since spread to his liver and lungs. Grayson also has rectal cancer, Wykoff said.

His lawyer argued that it would cost the state more money to house him in prison because of his medical condition.

Sean Grayson, the Illinois cop who murdered Sonya Massey at her home in July 2024, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the crime on Thursday

Grayson was found guilty of killing Massey at her home in Springfield in July 2024 after she called 911 for help 

Wykoff also said he understands that prison time is necessary for Grayson, but asked if he could only be sentenced to six years.

During the emotional hearing, Massey’s heartbroken family took to the stand with their victim impact statements. 

Her son, Malachi Hill-Massey, told the court: ‘Part of me is dead.’

Without looking at Grayson, Malachi added: ‘This is like pain I can’t explain.’ 

James Willburn, Massey’s father, told the judge that his daughter’s killer has not shown an ounce of remorse for the fatal shooting. 

‘My family will forever suffer. They will forever be changed by this murderer,’ Wilburn said. 

He then turned toward Grayson and said: ‘May God have mercy on this defendant.’ 

Massey’s mother, Donna, told the court she has not stopped crying since he daughter was killed. 

‘Sonya would give you the shirt off your back,’ she stated. 

She said she has endured endless nightmares since her daughter’s murder and is scared to call the police after seeing what happened to Massey when she asked for help. 

During the week-long trial members of the jury heard the gruesome and tragic events that led to Massey’s death, including the horrific body camera footage depicting the shooting

‘Sean Grayson, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,’ Donna told Grayson, repeating what her late daughter told the officer just before he drew his weapon and shot her. 

Just before he learned his fate, Grayson apologized to the family. 

‘I’m sorry,’ he said before admitting his actions were unprofessional and wrong. 

‘The things I said to her, she didn’t deserve that,’ Grayson continued. 

His conviction followed a week-long trial where members of a jury, comprised of nine women and three men, heard the gruesome and tragic events that led to Massey’s death, including the horrific body camera footage depicting the shooting. 

The footage showed Grayson arriving at Massey’s home with his partner, Dawson Farley, after responding to a 911 call reporting a suspected intruder.

The deputies searched Massey’s yard and didn’t find anyone hiding. They then entered her home.

The conversation became heated when an officer asked Massey to remove a pot of water from her stove.

The footage showed Grayson arriving at Massey’s home with his partner, Dawson Farley, after responding to a 911 call reporting a suspected intruder

Grayson’s partner, Dawson Farley, attempted to help Massey by providing her medical aid. He testified that Grayson (pictured at the scene_ discouraged his help, but Farley did it anyway

Massey obliged and told the officer: ‘I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,’ which prompted Grayson to draw his weapon.

Massey was heard pleading with the officers, telling them, ‘Don’t hurt me,’ and ‘Please God.’

She was then heard telling the officer, ‘Okay, I’m sorry,’ before he shot her three times, with one gunshot to her head.

Farley attempted to help Massey by providing her medical aid. He testified that Grayson discouraged his help, but Farley did it anyway.

‘She done. You can go get it, but that’s a head shot. There’s nothing you can do, man,’ Grayson was heard telling Farley in the footage.

Anthony Mayfield, a former department official, said he watched the body camera footage with the sheriff, and the room fell silent.

‘You could hear a pin drop. I think everyone was shocked,’ Mayfield said.

Grayson’s defense team argued that he was concerned Massey would throw the hot water on him, which was why he fired his weapon.

During the emotional hearing, Massey’s heartbroken family took to the stand with their victim impact statements, including her son Malachi Hill Massey (pictured in July 2024)

In the weeks leading up to her death, Massey had struggled with her mental health. Her mother (pictured) called 911 a day before she was murdered, expressing concern that Massey was having a mental breakdown

‘In this situation, unfortunately, I matched the threat level,’ Grayson testified.

He said that he had an old taser and thought it would malfunction if he used it instead of his gun. 

In the weeks leading up to her death, Massey had struggled with her mental health. Her mother called 911 a day before she was murdered, expressing concern that Massey was having a mental breakdown, according to 911 recordings obtained by the Washington Post.   

Massey’s mother told the dispatcher that she was worried police would harm her daughter, and the dispatcher assured her that officers ‘just do their job,’ and that ‘there’s nothing to be fearful of.’

After Massey’s death, information about Grayson’s problematic record came to light, revealing that he had been convicted twice of driving under the influence, had been discharged from the US Army for misconduct, and had been flagged multiple times for impulsive decision-making and filing inaccurate reports from other departments.

Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell resigned amid backlash over hiring Grayson, who was later fired from the force after his indictment.

Massey’s death prompted nationwide outrage against racial profiling in the criminal justice system. 

After Grayson’s conviction, her family expressed disappointment and anger that he wasn’t found guilty of the more serious charge of first-degree murder. 

In response to his conviction last year, Massey’s father said: ‘There’s a difference in this country when you have my skin color and Grayson’s skin color. We need serious justice, not a miscarriage of justice.’ 

Massey’s mother added: ‘Anybody who watched the video and thinks that it was partly Sonya’s fault is inhumane

‘And for them not to give him life, and Sonya got life – and death … I can’t wait until he goes to hell.’