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.

Latest News Stories

Union president: TSA workers want to be paid, not replaced by ICE

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Federal immigration law enforcement officers have joined Transportation Security Administration workers at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago....

Illinois Quick Hits: DHS wants migrant charged with killing to remain in custody

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is asking Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago officials to not release...

IL U.S. Rep says health care crisis caused by failing to extend ACA tax credits

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Democratic Illinois congresswoman says Republicans have caused a health care crisis by not extending Affordable Care...

Judge declines CTU’s motion to dismiss financial audit lawsuit

By Dan McCaleb and Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Cook County judge on Monday denied a Chicago Teachers' Union motion for summary...

Will County Targets May Draft for Comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Policy

Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | March 2026 Article Summary:Will County is moving closer to adopting a formal Artificial Intelligence policy, with IT staff planning to deliver a comprehensive...

P&Z Commission Approves Side Yard Setback Variance for Joliet Detached Garage

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | March 3, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a variance to reduce a side yard setback on...

Will County Closes Out $16.2 Million Federal Rental Assistance Program, Transitions to Local Funding

Will County Finance Committee Meeting | March 3, 2026 Article Summary: Will County has officially closed out its massive federal Emergency Rental Assistance program after distributing millions to keep nearly 2,000...

Executive Committee Advances Sweeping Overhaul of Will County Business Regulations

Will County Executive Committee Meeting | March 12, 2026 Article Summary: Will County is poised to modernize its business regulations following the Executive Committee's unanimous approval of a massive ordinance overhaul....

will county Committee-Capital Improvement.Graphic

Will County Leaders Debate New Construction to Escape $1.2 Million in Leases

Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | March 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Capital Improvements and IT Committee is aggressively exploring options to consolidate county offices and exit leased...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for March 3, 2026

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | March 3, 2026 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Will County Planning and Zoning Commission convened on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, to review a series...

Peotone School District 207U Committee of the Whole meeting March 16, 2026

Peotone 207U Weighs School Consolidation, Long-Term Planning in Lengthy Committee Meeting

By Andrea Arens The Peotone 207U Committee of the Whole spent several hours on March 16 discussing school consolidation plans, facility planning, and long-term financial strategy, with board members signaling...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Finance Committee for March 3, 2026

Will County Finance Committee Meeting | March 3, 2026 The Will County Board Finance Committee met on Tuesday to review a slate of year-end financial reports and approve routine budget...

Opioid Settlement Grants Funnel Nearly $600,000 to Local Police and Community Programs

Will County Finance Committee Meeting | March 3, 2026 Article Summary: Will County is distributing a significant portion of its opioid settlement funds to hyper-local agencies, including the Peotone and Manhattan...

Plainfield Central Offense Surges in 14-4 Victory Over Peotone Softball

The Peotone varsity softball team opened its 2026 campaign on the road Saturday morning, dropping a 14-4 non-conference decision to Plainfield Central. Despite getting on the board and pushing four...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee for March 10, 2026

Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | March 10, 2026 The Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee met on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, to review a backlog...

« Previous
1
…
42
43
44
45
46
…
165
Next »