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

Meeting Briefs

Meeting Briefs: Lake Land College Board of Trustees for June 9, 2025

At its regular monthly meeting, the Lake Land College Board of Trustees took several actions, including approving employee pay raises, supporting a TIF district extension for the City of Mattoon,...
DOJ settles race-based admissions with military academies

DOJ settles race-based admissions with military academies

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The Department of Justice announced this week a settlement of litigation challenging the race-based admissions practices at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and...
More California voters are liking Trump's job performance

More California voters are liking Trump’s job performance

By Jamie ParsonsThe Center Square President Donald Trump’s job approval rating in California is slightly higher than what it was at this time in his first term and from when...
U.S. national debt tops $37 trillion

U.S. national debt tops $37 trillion

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Congress has spent more money than it has collected for the last two decades, allowing the U.S. debt to top $37 trillion for the first...
Illinois quick hits: Human trafficking law signed; Mercyhealth to pay for COVID vaccine discrimination

Illinois quick hits: Human trafficking law signed; Mercyhealth to pay for COVID vaccine discrimination

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Human trafficking law signed Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation requiring state agencies to develop a strategic unified plan to build...
Justice Department finds GWU in violation of Title VI

Justice Department finds GWU in violation of Title VI

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice announced this week that George Washington University violated federal civil rights laws by doing nothing while Israeli students faced antisemitic...
WATCH: Nearly 400 people become U.S. citizens at Illinois State Fair

WATCH: Nearly 400 people become U.S. citizens at Illinois State Fair

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Nearly 400 people from more than 70 different countries became naturalized U.S. citizens Wednesday at the Illinois...
Appeals court says Trump can move forward with foreign aid cuts

Appeals court says Trump can move forward with foreign aid cuts

By Caroline BodaThe Center Square A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration can cut billions of dollars in foreign aid that had been appropriated by Congress. The...
WATCH: Governor suggests ending nuclear ban as lawmaker files pro-nuclear bill

WATCH: Governor suggests ending nuclear ban as lawmaker files pro-nuclear bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After an Illinois state senator filed legislation to streamline permits for nuclear energy projects, Gov J.B. Pritzker...
Kratom byproduct in gummies, candies, ice cream ruled same as herion, LSD

Kratom byproduct in gummies, candies, ice cream ruled same as herion, LSD

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Found in gummies, candies and ice cream, a concentrated substance known as 7-OH has been classified as a Schedule 1 substance alongside heroin and LSD...
'Liberation Day' reignites D.C. statehood debate

‘Liberation Day’ reignites D.C. statehood debate

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square As the National Guard begins patrolling the streets of Washington, D.C., after President Donald Trump announced their deployment in support of making the city safer,...
Trump to meet with Democratic leaders to discuss govt funding bills

Trump to meet with Democratic leaders to discuss govt funding bills

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With government funding progress halted and a government shutdown deadline looming, President Donald Trump is reaching across the aisle to Democratic congressional leaders to discuss...
WATCH: Illinois Democrats blast Trump, Republicans at state fair

WATCH: Illinois Democrats blast Trump, Republicans at state fair

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − Illinois Democrats say their party will win across the United States in 2026, with the Land of...
Social Security's 90th anniversary sparks debate over how to address insolvency

Social Security’s 90th anniversary sparks debate over how to address insolvency

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square On the day before Social Security’s 90th anniversary, fiscal watchdogs are urging Congress to seriously address the program’s impending funding shortfalls – particularly in light...
Colorado ranks eighth nationally for battling antisemitism

Colorado ranks eighth nationally for battling antisemitism

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The Anti-Defamation League recently named Colorado one of nine states “leading the way” on combatting antisemitism. The Jewish Policy Index was conducted by the ADL...