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

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

January 29, 2026/
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

lincoln way school district 210 logo.1

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 for March 19, 2026

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | March 19, 2026 The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education met on Thursday, March 19, 2026, to advance several...
Trump endorses Hilton in California gubernatorial primary

Trump endorses Hilton in California gubernatorial primary

By Dave MasonThe Center Square President Donald Trump has endorsed former Fox News anchor Steve Hilton in California’s Republican gubernatorial primary. Trump picked Hilton over the other prominent GOP candidate...
Feds award $1M for Rose Bowl upgrade ahead of Olympics

Feds award $1M for Rose Bowl upgrade ahead of Olympics

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Rose Bowl is getting infrastructure upgrades ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics. Just over $1 million in federal funds will go toward water and...
Trump defends Section 122 in latest tariff legal challenge

Trump defends Section 122 in latest tariff legal challenge

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's administration defended his newest 10% global entry tariffs against a legal challenge in a trade court. The administration said that Trump acted...
Education department rescinds Title IX resolution agreements

Education department rescinds Title IX resolution agreements

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights on Monday rescinded portions of multiple resolution agreements, alleging that previous administrations expanded the interpretation of...
Illinois gun owners plan rally in wake of Supreme Court order

Illinois gun owners plan rally in wake of Supreme Court order

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois State Rifle Association says gun owners have run out of options in a case challenging...
Artemis II mission breaks records Monday as astronauts observe far side of the moon

Artemis II mission breaks records Monday as astronauts observe far side of the moon

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The astronauts of the Artemis II NASA mission made history just before 2 p.m. Eastern Monday when they traveled farther in their Orion spacecraft from...
Illinois quick hits: Illinois House speaker's son to attend private school; AFSCME workers set strike date at Illinois State University; IDOT urges public to avoid distracted driving

Illinois quick hits: Illinois House speaker’s son to attend private school; AFSCME workers set strike date at Illinois State University; IDOT urges public to avoid distracted driving

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois House speaker's son to attend private school Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, says his son will attend a...
Federal-state showdown looms over regulation of prediction markets

Federal-state showdown looms over regulation of prediction markets

By Brett Rowland and Jon StyfThe Center Square The federal government is telling states to back off attempts to regulate prediction markets after several states took legal action to block...
No-knock warrant legislation brings Chicago victim, Illinois gun group together

No-knock warrant legislation brings Chicago victim, Illinois gun group together

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A diverse group of supporters are pushing to restrict no-knock search warrants in Illinois, but many law...
Trump promises 'complete demolition' in Iran as deadline looms

Trump promises ‘complete demolition’ in Iran as deadline looms

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump promised "complete demolition" of Iran on Tuesday if the nation's leaders do not agree to a deal to reduce nuclear weapons development...
‘We leave no American behind’: President Trump details Easter rescue of downed airman

‘We leave no American behind’: President Trump details Easter rescue of downed airman

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The successful Easter rescue of the downed F-15 airman who went missing in Iran was “one of the largest, most complex, most harrowing” combat search...
Michigan charges dentist in alleged 'massive' Medicaid fraud scheme

Michigan charges dentist in alleged ‘massive’ Medicaid fraud scheme

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel continues pursuing fraud cases across the state, announcing charges against a Macomb County dentist in what prosecutors described as a...
Illinois bill sparks debate over police privacy vs. public access

Illinois bill sparks debate over police privacy vs. public access

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker and law enforcement officer says a controversial proposal to change how police records...
Signature process begins to ban large data centers in Ohio

Signature process begins to ban large data centers in Ohio

By David BeasleyThe Center Square Sponsors of a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban the construction of any new large data centers in Ohio have cleared another hurdle in getting...