12 jurors, 3 alternates selected in trial for deputy charged with killing Sonya Massey

EORIA, Ill. (WGN) — 12 jurors and three alternates were selected Monday in the trial for the former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy accused of the 2024 murder of Sonya Massey.

Sean Grayson is charged with first-degree murder, battery and misconduct in connection with the shooting of Massey.

On July 6, 2024, Grayson and a fellow deputy responded to Massey’s 911 call reporting a suspected prowler outside her Springfield-area home.

The situation escalated when Massey appeared to have trouble answering the deputy’s questions.

Body camera footage shows Grayson shooting Massey in the head after she moved a pot of boiling water from her stove and said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

According to court documents, Massey put her hands in the air, apologized and ducked for cover. Prosecutors say she posed no threat, and the use of force was unjustified.

But Grayson’s attorney argues he acted in self defense and Massey was the aggressor.

In April, a judge moved the trial to Peoria after Grayson’s defense team argued he could not get a fair and impartial trial in Sangamon County.

The jurors were asked if they had heard of the case, and more than half of them raised their hands. However, all of them said they could remain fair and impartial and rely solely on evidence and the law.

A handful of jurors also said they have members of law enforcement in their life, but if the evidence shows Grayson is guilty, they wouldn’t be hesitant to return a guilty verdict.

The jury will be made up of nine women and three men, one of which is Black.

Grayson sat next to his attorneys in court on Monday wearing a blue suit and brown shoes. His father, James Wilburn, was also present in the courtroom.

Outside the courthouse, barricades were set up along with police vehicles in anticipation of protests and national media coverage. Hamilton Boulevard in front of the courthouse will be shut down all week.

Grayson’s trial could last up to two weeks.