By rssfeeds-admin The murder trial of former Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson, 31, moved to Peoria due to pre-trial publicity.
The nine-woman, three-man jury received the case Tuesday and deliberated for more than six hours.
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 afterwards, 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 constitutes first-degree murder.
Grayson, who took the stand in his own defense Monday, argued that he feared for his safety and the use of deadly force, “matched the threat level.”
Jurors will be back at 9 a.m. Wednesday for Day 2 of deliberations.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Grayson faces a sentence of 45 years to life in prison. The jury also has the option of considering second-degree murder, which applies when there is a “serious provocation” or when defendants believe their actions are justified even though that belief is unreasonable.
Second-degree murder can lead to a sentence of four to 20 years in prison, or probation.
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