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

Peotone softball blue devil graphic

Dole’s Shutout Secures 2-0 Bishop McNamara Victory Over Peotone in Pitching Duel

A spectacular pitching duel featuring a combined 22 strikeouts took center stage on Monday afternoon, but it was the host Bishop McNamara varsity softball team that managed to scratch across...
Schumer throws wrench into bipartisan plan to reopen DHS

Schumer throws wrench into bipartisan plan to reopen DHS

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The ongoing partial government shutdown is the second longest shutdown in American history as of Wednesday, and recent bipartisan negotiations are still far from complete....
White House calls on Pritzker to cooperate with ICE

White House calls on Pritzker to cooperate with ICE

By Andrew Rice | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The White House called on Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday to cooperate with immigration enforcement, after...
EXCLUSIVE: Solar debate shifts to legislature, courts as tensions escalate

EXCLUSIVE: Solar debate shifts to legislature, courts as tensions escalate

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As Michigan moves towards 100% renewable energy by 2040, communities across the state are wrestling with how much control they retain over the implementation of...
Trump’s meeting with China back on for May

Trump’s meeting with China back on for May

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump will be meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in mid-May, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday afternoon. Trump also intends...
National medical school accreditor drops remaining DEI requirements

National medical school accreditor drops remaining DEI requirements

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The largest and only national accrediting body for medical schools has dropped its remaining diversity, equity and inclusion language from its accreditation standards. The Liaison...
DHS pushes back on Minnesota lawsuit over Metro Surge shootings

DHS pushes back on Minnesota lawsuit over Metro Surge shootings

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is defending federal agents’ actions in three Minnesota shootings while pushing back on claims of “unprecedented noncooperation” raised in...
Small business owners seek tax cuts, tariff relief as prices increase

Small business owners seek tax cuts, tariff relief as prices increase

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Small business owners want more tax breaks and lower tariffs as they report higher operating costs. As small business owners navigate a challenging economic landscape...
Arrest.1

Frankfort Man Arrested by State Police for Threatening Governor Pritzker

Article Summary: A 71-year-old Frankfort resident is facing felony and misdemeanor charges after Illinois State Police investigators linked him to a series of threatening voicemails left for Governor JB Pritzker....
Supreme Court reverses $1B copyright lawsuit

Supreme Court reverses $1B copyright lawsuit

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision on Wednesday, ruled that an internet service provider is not liable for damages when its users unlawfully...
U.S. Supreme Court rules against automatic prison release punishments

U.S. Supreme Court rules against automatic prison release punishments

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in an 8-1 decision, decided an individual on supervised release is not automatically extended when that person absconds from their release....
State Police address FOID, cyber security audit findings

State Police address FOID, cyber security audit findings

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As his agency works to correct compliance findings by the state’s auditor general, Illinois State Police Director...
Poll: Trump demonstrates stronger cognitive, communication skills compared to Biden

Poll: Trump demonstrates stronger cognitive, communication skills compared to Biden

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A majority of American voters say President Donald Trump has demonstrated better cognitive and physical skills during his second term compared to former President Joe...
Illinois Quick Hits: Red Line funds ordered to be unfrozen

Illinois Quick Hits: Red Line funds ordered to be unfrozen

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is hailing a federal judge’s ruling that directs the Trump administration to unfreeze...
EXCLUSIVE: 5 years in, Operation Lone Star seizes 870 million lethal doses of fentanyl

EXCLUSIVE: 5 years in, Operation Lone Star seizes 870 million lethal doses of fentanyl

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Five years into Texas’ border security mission, Operation Lone Star officers have seized a record amount of illicit drugs. Gov. Greg Abbott first launched OLS...