Former Illinois sheriff’s deputy to be sentenced for murder of Sonya Massey

Sean Grayson, a former Illinois sheriff’s deputy, will be sentenced on Thursday for the 2024 death of Sonya Massey, a Black mother of two who had called 911 about a possible prowler outside her Springfield home.

Grayson was convicted of second-degree murder after jury instructions included the option to convict him of the lesser charge in place of first-degree murder.

He faces four to 20 years in prison for second-degree murder. Under state law, Grayson would most likely be eligible to get day-for-day credit for good behavior in prison, meaning he could ultimately serve only half his sentence.

In July 2024, Grayson was charged with the murder of Massey after Grayson claimed he thought Massey was going to throw a pot of boiling water at him. First Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Beth Rodgers said Massey complied with the order to drop the pot of water, while Grayson’s attorney argued that Massey escalated the situation.

Her death led to calls for justice and protests, as well as the passage of the Sonya Massey Act in Illinois, which requires stricter background checks for police hires.

At the time, Massey’s father, James Wilburn, said he hoped the judge would give Grayson the maximum sentence. “He showed no remorse. He was so cocky throughout this whole trial,” until he was convicted, Wilburn said. “Yeah, that knocked the smirk off.”