Sean Grayson fatally shot Massey after she referred to as police to her residence, in a killing that sparked outrage and protests.
Revealed On 29 Jan 2026
A former Illinois sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced to twenty years in jail for fatally taking pictures a 36-year-old girl who referred to as police to her residence for assist.
The 2024 killing of Sonya Massey sparked widespread protests amid a wider reckoning over police conduct in the direction of Black residents in america.
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Sean Grayson, 31, was convicted in October of second-degree homicide for the deadly taking pictures. On Thursday, he obtained the utmost sentence of 20 years in jail.
Throughout sentencing, Grayson apologised, saying he wished he may carry Massey again. His lawyer had requested for a sentence of six years.
“I made a variety of errors that night time. There have been factors once I ought to’ve acted, and I didn’t. I froze,” he stated through the listening to. “I made horrible choices that night time. I’m sorry.”
Massey, who suffered from psychological well being points, had referred to as police to her residence within the Illinois state capital, Springfield, saying she was afraid of a prowler outdoors.
Body camera footage of her trade with police confirmed that Massey appeared confused, repeating, “Please, God.”
Inside her residence, Grayson seen a boiling pot of water and requested Sheriff’s Deputy Dawson Farley to maneuver it. As a substitute, Massey went to the range and picked up the pot, showing to tease Grayson for shifting away from “the recent, steaming water”.
She then stated: “I rebuke you within the identify of Jesus.”
Grayson drew his firearm. Massey set the pot down and ducked behind a counter. When she appeared to choose up the pot once more, Grayson opened hearth, hitting Massey 3 times within the face.
Through the trial, Massey’s mother and father and two youngsters stated their lives had been perpetually modified.
“At this time, I’m afraid to name the police in concern that I would find yourself like Sonya,” her mom Donna Massey stated through the listening to.
Massey’s daughter Summer time advised reporters on Thursday that “20 years shouldn’t be sufficient”.
Grayson was initially charged with three counts of first-degree homicide, which may have led to a life sentence. Nevertheless, the jury convicted him of the lesser cost of second-degree homicide, arguing that proof exhibits that Grayson truthfully thought he was at risk.
Massey’s killing sparked a US Justice Division inquiry, after which the Sangamon County agreed to implement extra de-escalation coaching for legislation enforcement and gather extra use-of-force knowledge.
The controversy additionally prompted the sheriff who employed Grayson to retire.
Since Massey’s loss of life, Illinois legislation has modified to require full background checks for candidates making use of for legislation enforcement jobs. The legislation, praised as a step in the direction of police accountability, is named the Sonya Massey Act.
