Ex-deputy sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Sonya Massey

Ex-deputy sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Sonya Massey

January 29, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatally shooting Sonya Massey at her Springfield home in July 2024.

A jury convicted Sean Grayson of second-degree murder Oct. 29. On Thursday morning in Springfield, Judge Ryan Cadigan handed down the maximum allowed sentence for Grayson’s crime.

In a statement from the Massey Commission for Sangamon County, Sonya’s cousin, Sontae Massey, said Sonya’s death would follow her for the rest of her life.

“It is a permanent reminder of what happens when power is exercised without humanity, when a life is treated as disposable,” Sontae Massey stated.

The trial was in Peoria after Grayson’s legal team argued local news coverage of Massey’s death would make it impossible to find an impartial jury.

In the early morning hours of July 6, 2024, Massey called police about a suspected prowler. Two Sangamon County Sheriff deputies arrived on the scene. Body camera footage released by Illinois State Police showed Grayson confronting Massey and threatening to shoot her in the face.

Massey was then shot in the head.

Greg Bishop contributed to this story.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois quick hits: Gas prices continue slow climb

Illinois quick hits: Gas prices continue slow climb

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Gas prices continue slow climb The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois is 85 cents higher...
More pros than cons: ALEC panel discussion focuses on positives of data centers

More pros than cons: ALEC panel discussion focuses on positives of data centers

By Christine JohnsonThe Center Square While much of the national conversation about data centers focuses on the amount of energy and water they consume, the pros of building more of...
Trump hits 60 nations with forced-labor tariffs

Trump hits 60 nations with forced-labor tariffs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Trump administration imposed forced-labor tariffs on 60 trading partners Thursday, covering most U.S. imports, but did not say what the duties will cost American...
Illinois news in brief: Year-over-year unemployment rates rise; Judge gives Rockford woman six months for stealing from booster club; Chicago Fed's National Activity index rises

Illinois news in brief: Year-over-year unemployment rates rise; Judge gives Rockford woman six months for stealing from booster club; Chicago Fed’s National Activity index rises

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Year-over-year unemployment rates rise According to data released on Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department...
Voters say economy rigged for wealthy as Trump earns low marks

Voters say economy rigged for wealthy as Trump earns low marks

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A majority of American voters, including more than 4 in 10 Republicans, say the economy is rigged to favor the wealthy, according to a new...
Parents challenge special ed regulation for private schools, seek SCOTUS review

Parents challenge special ed regulation for private schools, seek SCOTUS review

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Two Massachusetts families have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether the state can deny certain special education services to children whose parents choose...
Trump: Data center boom will lower Americans’ energy costs

Trump: Data center boom will lower Americans’ energy costs

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square More data centers will actually mean lower energy costs for most Americans under one of the Trump administration's initiatives, according to President Donald Trump. The...
Election 2026: Third day of filing for Graham’s seat remains quiet

Election 2026: Third day of filing for Graham’s seat remains quiet

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Thursday’s third day of filing in South Carolina’s special election Republican primary for the U.S. Senate remained quiet. According to the South Carolina Elections Commission...
White House has extra asks for stalled federal highway bill

White House has extra asks for stalled federal highway bill

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With Congress facing a deadline in two months to renew funding for transportation infrastructure nationwide, the Trump administration is urging lawmakers to codify its list...
Carolina, Virginia Tech chosen for fellowship program by War Department

Carolina, Virginia Tech chosen for fellowship program by War Department

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Carolina and Virginia Tech have succeeded Ivy League institutions War Department Secretary Pete Hegseth says are “woke breeding grounds of toxic indoctrination” in being chosen...
Future regional power supply down, but not out

Future regional power supply down, but not out

By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Shrinking power supply remains a challenge according to the grid operator’s most recent capacity auction, signaling...
Exclusive: USDA distributing loans to Oregon, Nevada sawmills to expand timber production

Exclusive: USDA distributing loans to Oregon, Nevada sawmills to expand timber production

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Sawmills in Oregon and Nevada will be receiving $80 million in federally guaranteed loans to increase American timber production, the Department of Agriculture shared exclusively...
Lawsuit claims digital asset tax is unconstitutional

Lawsuit claims digital asset tax is unconstitutional

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to a lawsuit filed in Sangamon County court, a new, first-in-the-nation digital asset tax in Illinois...
Minnesotan will spend life in prison for deaths of House speaker, husband

Minnesotan will spend life in prison for deaths of House speaker, husband

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The Minnesotan convicted of attacking lawmakers last year, killing House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, will spend the rest of his life in...
Minnesota wins dismissal of federal lawsuit over immigration detainers

Minnesota wins dismissal of federal lawsuit over immigration detainers

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota has won a legal battle against the Trump administration over immigration detainers after a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the administration. The...