SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Sean Grayson, a former Illinois sheriff’s deputy convicted of second-degree murder in the 2024 death of Sonya Massey, was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison followed by two years of supervised probation.
Sonya Massey Case: Former Deputy Sentenced
Grayson, for the first time, admitted wrongdoing against Massey, a 36-year-old Black mother of two who called 911 about a possible prowler outside her Springfield home. He stated he made “terrible decisions” that night and apologized for her death, saying, “I was very unprofessional that night…She didn’t deserve to be yelled and cussed at and called names. Nobody deserves that.”
Judge Ryan Cadigan of the 7th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois issued the maximum penalty, stating that Grayson’s “bit of unreasonable rage needs to be deterred.” The defense’s motion for a new trial, filed in November, was denied during the sentencing.
Family Impact Statements
Massey’s son, Malachi Hill Massey, 19, and daughter, Summer Massey, 16, delivered statements in court. Summer Massey spoke about the traumatic effects of her mother’s murder, stating her life has never been the same. She expressed that Grayson did not seem to understand or care about the damage he caused.
“I’m thankful for all the love and support that everybody has came out and shown, and I’m grateful that we got the maximum sentence that we could. Twenty years is not enough, but they did what… they could do,” Summer said following the sentencing.
Malachi Hill Massey described his “unimaginable” pain, saying, “My soul is ripped, it’s like a part of me is really dead.”
About 50 protesters gathered outside the Springfield courthouse, chanting, “Say her name: Sonya Massey.” Members of Massey’s family shouted “yes” and pumped their fists after the sentence was announced.
Details of the Conviction and Sentencing
Grayson was convicted of second-degree murder after jurors were given the option to convict him of the lesser charge instead of first-degree murder. Second-degree murder carries a penalty of four to 20 years in prison. Due to state law, Grayson is likely eligible for day-for-day credit for good behavior, potentially serving only half his sentence.
A first-degree murder conviction would have carried a sentence of 45 years to life in prison. Jurors deliberated for nearly 12 hours following closing arguments in October.
Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser requested the maximum sentence, stating, “If the max were more, we would ask for more,” and that the sentence was necessary to “deter others from committing the same crime.”
Defense attorney Mark Wykoff noted Grayson’s worsening colon cancer, which has spread to his liver, rectum, and lungs.
Background of the Case
Grayson was charged with Massey’s murder in July 2024 after claiming he believed she was going to throw boiling water at him. Authorities stated Massey complied with his order to drop the pot of water, while the defense argued she escalated the situation. Grayson’s recent admission of remorse contrasts with prior testimony where he claimed Massey’s behavior was threatening, stating, “We are trained to use force that will gain compliance.”
Massey’s death sparked protests and led to the passage of the Sonya Massey Act in Illinois, which mandates stricter background checks for police hires.
Massey’s father, James Wilburn, expressed his belief that Grayson showed “no remorse” throughout the trial and reiterated the family’s desire for federal charges to be brought against Grayson for violating Massey’s civil rights.
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