January 29, 2026/

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

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

WATCH: Warnings of higher IL property taxes heard as pension bill advances

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Supporters of an Illinois Statehouse pension measure say it is a “fix” for Tier 2 public employee...
Top-selling automaker confirms U.S. investment, but no details yet

Top-selling automaker confirms U.S. investment, but no details yet

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The world's top-selling automaker said it plans to continue investing in U.S. operations but wouldn't confirm on Wednesday that it will be $10 billion, as...
Fentanyl poised to take center stage during Trump, Xi meeting

Fentanyl poised to take center stage during Trump, Xi meeting

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Fentanyl is set to be at the center of President Donald Trump’s scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping Thursday morning. Trump told reporters last...
'Outrageous': Lawmakers bash Biden admin for targeting, surveilling 156 Republicans

‘Outrageous’: Lawmakers bash Biden admin for targeting, surveilling 156 Republicans

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The Biden administration’s probe into President Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss progressed far beyond investigating potential fraud and potentially targeted 156 conservatives and conservative organizations....

WATCH: Cruz calls on House to impeach federal judge over subpoenas of Republicans

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, on Wednesday called on the U.S. House of Representatives to impeach a federal judge involved in an investigation into President...

WATCH: Pritzker declares agricultural trade ‘crisis’ while Trump touts new deals

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed an executive order to declare an agricultural trade crisis in Illinois. The...
Economists say Trump's tariff play could boost trade deficits

Economists say Trump’s tariff play could boost trade deficits

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Economists told the U.S. Supreme Court that President Donald Trump's plan to reduce U.S. trade deficits will backfire, exacerbating the underlying issue the president used...
Amnesty International condemns U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats

Amnesty International condemns U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Amnesty International, a human rights organization, condemned U.S. military strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific that have killed 57 people...
‘Astonishingly reckless:’ IL Dems intro tax on ‘unrealized gains’ to fund transit

‘Astonishingly reckless:’ IL Dems intro tax on ‘unrealized gains’ to fund transit

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square With just two days remaining in the Illinois legislative fall veto session, Illinois Democratic state lawmakers have introduced new legislation, ostensibly designed...
Federal Reserve cuts key interest rate for second time this year

Federal Reserve cuts key interest rate for second time this year

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter-point on Wednesday for the second time this year, not nearly as much as President Donald Trump...
Immigrants grow Michigan's population, advocates say

Immigrants grow Michigan’s population, advocates say

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Detroit’s population grew for the second year in a row after years of steady decline, according to census data. Advocacy groups attribute much of the...
WATCH: Trump says he can't run for third term after months of conjecture

WATCH: Trump says he can’t run for third term after months of conjecture

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he's disappointed he can't seek another term as president after months of speculation that he might try to...
Senate votes to approve 'Bat Week'; no vote to end shutdown

Senate votes to approve ‘Bat Week’; no vote to end shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. senators have remained locked in a government shutdown fight for nearly a month, but unanimously agreed Wednesday to designate Oct. 24 to Oct. 31,...
Kaitlyn McKinney runs for the Lady Warriors at the regional meet. McKinney’s time of 23:33.0 was a key part of the team's seventh-place finish, which secured a berth in the Sectional. —photo by Terri Cox

Lady Warriors XC Team Advances to Sectional; Richardson Qualifies for Warriors

Featured photo caption: Kaitlyn McKinney runs for the Lady Warriors at the regional meet. McKinney’s time of 23:33.0 was a key part of the team's seventh-place finish, which secured a...
Casey-Westfield's Gio Santillan powers through the Paris defense for a gain. Santillan recorded two key first downs on the ground during a Warrior drive in the third quarter. —photo by Terri Cox

Paris Rallies Late, Upsets Warriors 22-17 in Regular Season Finale

Featured photo caption: Casey-Westfield's Gio Santillan powers through the Paris defense for a gain. Santillan recorded two key first downs on the ground during a Warrior drive in the third...