Illinois State Police via AP, File
Former Illinois deputy Sean Grayson has been convicted and found guilty in the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey.
According to Peoria County, Sean Grayson’s criminal trial began earlier this month, on October 20. According to NBC News, Grayson was initially charged with first-degree murder of Massey. Last week, the courtroom watched as Grayson’s former partner, Deputy Dawson Farley, took the stand and explained that he was not scared by any of Sonya Massey’s actions when he and Grayson arrived at her home on July 6, 2024. As The Shade Room previously reported, Massey called authorities to her home, believing an intruder was present. While there, the deputies reportedly observed her as “unwell.” Furthermore, when she reached for a pot of boiling water on her stove and said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” Grayson fired three shots, killing her.
Per NBC News, the bodycam footage of the incident was played for the court three times. On Monday, October 27, Grayson took the stand and said that he believed Massey was going to throw the boiling water at him.
“I didnt want to take the chance of the Taser malfunctioning. The Taser doesnt work on everybody,” he reportedly stated, explaining why he didn’t use his stun gun.
On Tuesday, October 29, during closing arguments, First Assistant States Attorney Mary Beth Rodgers explained that Massey “peacefully” complied with Grayson’s directive to set down the boiling water.
“‘Im sorry.’ That is the last thing Sonya Massey said before the defendant murdered her, just like he said he would. He wants you to believe he was scared, but you dont have to believe that because its not true,” Rodgers told the court.
After jury deliberations, which concluded on Wednesday, October 29, around 2 p.m., Grayson was found guilty of second-degree murder. To note, CNN adds that the option can apply when “a defendant faces a ‘serious provocation’ or believes their action is justified even if that belief is unreasonable.”
Per NBC News, Grayson now faces four to 20 years in prison. Although some outlets suggest that he could serve half his sentence with probation. Furthermore, Fox 32 Chicago reports that Grayson will be sentenced on January 29, 2026.
As The Shade Room previously reported, bodycam footage of the fatal incident was released after the shooting.
In the months that followed, the incident sparked reactions from the mother of George Floyd’s daughter as more information was revealed about the help Sonya Massey and her mother tried to seek from law enforcement and medical officials before her death. In August 2024, field case reports were released showing what Sean Grayson stated about Massey after her passing.
