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

Seattle’s new mayor has no plans to look into possible local daycare fraud

Seattle’s new mayor has no plans to look into possible local daycare fraud

By Brett DavisThe Center Square It seems new Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has no plans in her capacity as such to investigate allegations of local daycare fraud. When asked by...
Foreign national charged with having gun near ICE agents in Chicago

Foreign national charged with having gun near ICE agents in Chicago

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Mexican national has been charged with illegally possessing and firing a loaded handgun in Chicago near...
Tariffs sink Canadian couples' long-running e-commerce operation

Tariffs sink Canadian couples’ long-running e-commerce operation

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Lana Bain and her husband had been selling antiques online for nearly 30 years when the U.S. tariffs hit. At first it was higher prices...
Attorneys file request to Supreme Court over gender secrecy

Attorneys file request to Supreme Court over gender secrecy

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The Thomas More Society has filed an emergency application with the U.S. Supreme Court, requesting intervention in the Mirabelli v. Bonta lawsuit over gender secrecy...
Pritzker signs energy omnibus with new charge for ratepayers in 2030

Pritzker signs energy omnibus with new charge for ratepayers in 2030

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed sweeping energy legislation that will add a new line item to Illinois...
Illinois quick hits: Primary election ballot certified; indictments increased in 2025

Illinois quick hits: Primary election ballot certified; indictments increased in 2025

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Primary election ballot certified The Illinois State Board of Elections certified the March 2026 primary ballot this week, removing several Republican...
Trump orders $200 billion mortgage bond buy to lower rates

Trump orders $200 billion mortgage bond buy to lower rates

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Thursday afternoon that the federal government will buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds to bring down interest rates and monthly payments....
Coal and power groups back UP–Norfolk Southern rail merger

Coal and power groups back UP–Norfolk Southern rail merger

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Several major coal producers and power industry groups are urging federal regulators to approve the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger. The producers argue that reliable...

WATCH: U.S. House votes to extend ACA subsidies, heads to Senate

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies for another three years. The bill passed in a 230-196 vote...
Report details sexual abuse, falsified grant applications at Chicago Public Schools

Report details sexual abuse, falsified grant applications at Chicago Public Schools

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Board of Education’s Office of Inspector General has released a report detailing falsified federal grant...
Signature shortfalls knock multiple candidates off Illinois ballot

Signature shortfalls knock multiple candidates off Illinois ballot

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois State Board of Elections certified the March 2026 primary ballot this week, removing several...

WATCH: Vance addresses Minneapolis shooting, questions leftwing influence

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Vice President JD Vance on Thursday questioned potential leftwing involvement in the shooting death of a woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in...
U.S. House clears $180B funding bills to avoid Jan. 30 shutdown

U.S. House clears $180B funding bills to avoid Jan. 30 shutdown

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday cleared three nearly $180 billion government funding bills that will take a step toward preventing a federal government...
IL state lawmaker pushes back as analysis finds municipalities lost $10.9B

IL state lawmaker pushes back as analysis finds municipalities lost $10.9B

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new Illinois Policy Institute analysis estimates local governments have lost $10.9 billion since 2012 due...
Trump invites Colombian president to White House

Trump invites Colombian president to White House

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square In a matter of days, President Donald Trump has gone from threatening to strike Colombia to inviting its leader to the White House. Following a...