SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — In a significant ruling on Thursday, former Illinois Sheriff’s Deputy, Sean Grayson, was handed a 20-year prison sentence for the murder of Sonya Massey. The decision marks the culmination of a case that has captured much public attention.

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The courtroom witnessed a poignant moment as the Massey family reacted with a mix of tears and relief when Judge Ryan Cadigan delivered the sentence. Grayson received the maximum penalty permissible for his conviction of second-degree murder, a verdict reached last October.

The hearing drew a large crowd, with rows filled by Massey’s relatives, and a smaller group of Grayson’s family members seen in attendance by ABC7.

Addressing the court and the Massey family, Grayson expressed his deep regret. In an emotional statement, he acknowledged the irreversible nature of his actions, saying, “I wish I could bring her back,” while admitting to the mistakes that led to the tragic incident.

The session also featured four heartfelt victim impact statements from the Massey family, with contributions from her two children and both parents, highlighting the profound loss felt by those closest to Sonya Massey.

The court heard four victim impact statements from the Massey family, including the victim’s two children and both of her parents.

Grayson looked straight at each family member as they addressed the court, showing no emotion the entire time.

Both of her children spoke about the permanent harm this has done to their family…

At one point, Sonya’s mother Donna ended her statement looking directly at Grayson and said “Sean Grayson, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

Those were the exact words Sonya said to Grayson before he shot her three times in her home on July 6, 2024.

During the trial, Grayson told investigators he thought her “rebuke” meant she intended to kill him.

Now, 572 days since that shooting Grayson was officially sentenced to 20 years followed by two years of supervised release.

Grayson also said in court: “There are no words I can say to take back what the family is feeling I understand why they are angry I just hope one day they can be forgiving. I was very unprofessional that night and the things I said to Sonya Massey were not right.”

“Nobody deserves that, your honor I made a lot of mistakes that night, there are points I should have acted on and I didn’t. I froze and I made terrible decisions that night,” he said.

“I’m sorry I wish there was something I can do to bring her back I wish this didn’t happen,” he said.

Judge Cadigan also denied Grayson’s motion for a new trial.