An Illinois jury on Wednesday convicted a former sheriff’s deputy of second-degree murder in the shooting loss of life of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who called 911 asking for help.
The jurors, although, didn’t convict Sean Grayson on the first-degree murder cost prosecutors initially sought and that carries a jail sentence of 45 years to life. Instead, Grayson, 31, may very well be sentenced to as much as 20 years in jail, or probation. Sentencing is scheduled for January 29.
“While we believe Grayson’s actions deserved a first-degree conviction, today’s verdict is still a measure of justice for Sonya Massey,” mentioned attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci in a assertion following the verdict. “Accountability has begun, and we now hope the court will impose a meaningful sentence that reflects the severity of these crimes and the life that was lost.”
Grayson and one other deputy arrived at Massey’s dwelling in Springfield, Illinois, early on the morning of July 6, 2024, after she reported a prowler. Grayson shot the 36-year-old woman after confronting her about how she was dealing with a pot of scorching water she had faraway from her range. Grayson and his attorneys argued that he feared Massey would scald him with the scorching water.
Massey’s killing raised new questions on U.S. legislation enforcement shootings of Black people in their homes, and prompted a change in Illinois law requiring fuller transparency on the background of candidates for legislation enforcement jobs.
Grayson was initially charged with first-degree murder, however after the seven-day trial, the jury was given the possibility of contemplating second-degree murder, which applies when a defendant faces a “serious provocation” or believes their motion is justified even when that perception is unreasonable.
He may very well be sentenced from 4 to twenty years, a sentence that may very well be halved if he behaves behind bars. He is also sentenced to probation and keep away from jail time totally.
Body camera video recorded by the different Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy on the scene that morning, Dawson Farley, was a key half of the prosecution’s case. It confirmed Massey, who struggled with psychological well being points, telling the officers, “Don’t hurt me,” and repeating, “Please God.”
When the deputies entered the home, Grayson noticed the pot on the range and ordered Massey to maneuver it. Massey jumped as much as retrieve the pot and he or she and Grayson joked about how he mentioned he was backing off from the “hot, steaming water.” Massey then replied, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”
Both Grayson and Farley drew their pistols and yelled at Massey to place the pot down. Grayson instructed investigators he thought her “rebuke” meant she intended to kill him and, in the following commotion, fired three pictures, putting Massey slightly below the eye.
Farley, who at the time of the shooting was a probationary worker topic to firing for any cause, testified that Massey didn’t say or do something that caused him to view her as a threat. But below cross-examination, he acknowledged that he initially reported to investigators that he feared for his security as a result of of the scorching water. Farley didn’t fireplace his weapon and was not charged.
Grayson testified in his personal protection and was the first witness called by his attorneys. He instructed jurors he observed the backside of the pot was purple and he believed Massey deliberate to throw the water at him. He mentioned Massey’s phrases felt like a risk and that he drew his gun as a result of officers are skilled to make use of pressure to get compliance.
“She done. You can go get it, but that’s a head shot,” Grayson instructed Farley after the shooting. “There’s nothing you can do, man.”
Grayson relented moments later and went to get his medical equipment whereas Farley found dish towels to use strain to the head wound. When Grayson returned, Farley instructed him his help wasn’t mandatory, so he threw his equipment on the ground and mentioned, “I’m not even gonna waste my med stuff then.”
Prosecutors mentioned that response indicated Grayson’s disregard for public security, an argument that persuaded Judge Ryan Cadagin to maintain Grayson in jail awaiting trial. An Illinois appellate court subsequently ruled that Grayson ought to be launched below the Pre-Trial Fairness Act. An attraction to the state Supreme Court has but to be determined.
Massey’s loss of life additionally pressured the early retirement of the sheriff who employed Grayson and generated a U.S. Justice Department inquiry. The federal probe was resolved with Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department’s settlement to fortify coaching, significantly de-escalation practices; develop a program in which psychological well being professionals can reply to emergency calls; and to generate knowledge on use-of-force incidents.
Massey’s household, with the help of civil rights legal professional Ben Crump, settled a lawsuit in opposition to the county for $10 million and state lawmakers modified Illinois law to require fuller transparency on the background of candidates for legislation enforcement jobs.