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

casey fire protection district graphic.3

Casey Fire District Evaluates Half-Million Dollar Pumper Truck, Seeks Grant Writing Assistance

Casey Fire Protection District Meeting | March 2026 Article Summary: The Casey Fire Protection District is exploring a major capital investment after viewing a demonstration of a new 2,100-gallon pumper...
Martinsville School Graphic.1

Martinsville Board of Education Renews 8-Man Football Program, Adopts Cardiac Emergency Plan

Martinsville C.U.S.D. #C-3 Board of Education Meeting | February 23, 2026 Article Summary: The Martinsville Community Unit School District #C-3 Board of Education approved the continuation of its 8-man football...
White House calls on Pritzker to cooperate with ICE

White House calls on Pritzker to cooperate with ICE

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The White House called on Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday to cooperate with immigration enforcement, after the killing of a student in Chicago. White...
DHS pushes back on Minnesota lawsuit over Metro Surge shootings

DHS pushes back on Minnesota lawsuit over Metro Surge shootings

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is defending federal agents’ actions in three Minnesota shootings while pushing back on claims of “unprecedented noncooperation” raised in...
Supreme Court reverses $1B copyright lawsuit

Supreme Court reverses $1B copyright lawsuit

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision on Wednesday, ruled that an internet service provider is not liable in damages when its users unlawfully...
U.S. Supreme Court rules against automatic prison release punishments

U.S. Supreme Court rules against automatic prison release punishments

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in an 8-1 decision, decided an individual on supervised release is not automatically extended when that person absconds from their release....
State Police address FOID, cyber security audit findings

State Police address FOID, cyber security audit findings

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As his agency works to correct compliance findings by the state’s auditor general, Illinois State Police Director...
Poll: Trump demonstrates stronger cognitive, communication skills compared to Biden

Poll: Trump demonstrates stronger cognitive, communication skills compared to Biden

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A majority of American voters say President Donald Trump has demonstrated better cognitive and physical skills during his second term compared to former President Joe...
Illinois Quick Hits: Red Line funds ordered to be unfrozen

Illinois Quick Hits: Red Line funds ordered to be unfrozen

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is hailing a federal judge’s ruling that directs the Trump administration to unfreeze...
EXCLUSIVE: 5 years in, Operation Lone Star seizes 870 million lethal doses of fentanyl

EXCLUSIVE: 5 years in, Operation Lone Star seizes 870 million lethal doses of fentanyl

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Five years into Texas’ border security mission, Operation Lone Star officers have seized a record amount of illicit drugs. Gov. Greg Abbott first launched OLS...
Proposal to decrease reliance on paper documents passes House

Proposal to decrease reliance on paper documents passes House

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Safety is compromised, and costs are increased by outdated rules, U.S. Rep. Brad Knott tells The Center Square. His proposal with Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Mich.,...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Late Sixth-Inning Surge Lifts Casey-Westfield Baseball Past Altamont 4-1

For five innings on Tuesday afternoon, the Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team was completely stymied at the plate. But when the opportunity finally presented itself in the bottom of the sixth,...
school board monroe elementary

Monroe Elementary Reading Initiatives Raise $13,000 as Students Log Nearly 91,000 Minutes

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | March 16, 2026 Article Summary: Monroe Elementary students shattered reading goals during two concurrent literacy programs, raising substantial funds for the school library and reading...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Gilbert Drives in Five as Casey-Westfield Outslugs Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg 11-7

The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team unleashed a 17-hit offensive barrage on Tuesday afternoon, securing an 11-7 road victory over non-conference opponent Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg. Sophomore G. Gilbert was the primary run producer...
Marshall School Graphic.3

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Marshall C.U.S.D. C-2 Board of Education for March 12, 2026

Marshall C.U.S.D. C-2 Board of Education Meeting | March 12, 2026 The Marshall C.U.S.D. C-2 Board of Education met in regular session on Thursday, March 12, 2026, advancing a busy...