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

Hochul weighs AI regulations as Trump sets federal rules

Hochul weighs AI regulations as Trump sets federal rules

By Chris WadeThe Center Square New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is weighing plans to regulate the state's artificial intelligence sector, even as President Donald Trump seeks to restrict states from...
EXCLUSIVE: First Nation police chiefs want to participate in border security efforts

EXCLUSIVE: First Nation police chiefs want to participate in border security efforts

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square First Nation tribal police chiefs in Canada say want to participate in border security efforts. Many already are on the front lines, living at the...
Justice Department sues Fulton County over election records

Justice Department sues Fulton County over election records

By Kim JarrettThe Center Square The U.S. Justice Department sued Fulton County, Ga. Clerk of Court Che Alexander on Friday, claiming her office failed to produce records from the 2020...
USPS electric fleet push sparks cost, security and job concerns

USPS electric fleet push sparks cost, security and job concerns

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Postal Service is pushing forward with a major electric fleet overhaul funded partly by...
WATCH: Use of Guard debated; Trump singles out Pritzker on AI; Property tax ruling

WATCH: Use of Guard debated; Trump singles out Pritzker on AI; Property tax ruling

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews heated moments...
Illinois quick hits: Chicago Fed president explains vote; Treasurer encourages Bright Start gifts

Illinois quick hits: Chicago Fed president explains vote; Treasurer encourages Bright Start gifts

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Chicago Fed president explains vote Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee has explained his decision to vote against the...
EXCLUSIVE: Canadian groups, First Nation police support stronger border security

EXCLUSIVE: Canadian groups, First Nation police support stronger border security

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Despite Canadian officials arguing that the "Canada-U.S. border is the best-managed and most secure border in the world,” some Canadian groups and First Nation tribal...
More than 9,500 commercial truckers taken off U.S. roads nationwide

More than 9,500 commercial truckers taken off U.S. roads nationwide

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square More than 9,500 commercial truckers have been taken off of U.S. roads for failing English-language proficiency checks, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. “We’ve now knocked...

WATCH: ‘Unfortunate accident’: Miss. senator blasted for comment on Guard troop shootings

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., faced heavy criticism Thursday after characterizing the recent shooting of two National Guard members blocks from the White House, killing...

WATCH: House Homeland Security hearing filled with tense exchanges

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A U.S. House hearing on homeland security wasn’t void of drama Thursday as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem engaged in several tense exchanges with Democrats,...
Judge rules against Trump's freeze on wind energy

Judge rules against Trump’s freeze on wind energy

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Democratic attorneys general applauded a federal judge’s ruling this week that the Trump administration can’t halt development of all wind energy projects. Proponents have long...
Illinois’ new paint fee takes effect, with critics calling it another burden on taxpayers

Illinois’ new paint fee takes effect, with critics calling it another burden on taxpayers

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new statewide fee on paint products adds a small charge to each container sold as...
Pritzker decision looms for energy bill 'on ratepayers' backs'

Pritzker decision looms for energy bill ‘on ratepayers’ backs’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has indicated support for energy legislation awaiting his signature, but small business owners are...

WATCH: Use of National Guard debated in U.S. Senate as Illinois case lingers

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – While the use of the National Guard remains on hold in Illinois, pending a legal challenge, the...
Illinois quick hits: Senator's deferred prosecution deal approved; Indiana Senate votes against new maps

Illinois quick hits: Senator’s deferred prosecution deal approved; Indiana Senate votes against new maps

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Senator's deferred prosecution deal approved U.S. District Court Judge Andrea Wood has approved a deferred prosecution agreement to resolve the bribery...