Sean Grayson, a former Illinois sheriff’s deputy convicted of second-degree murder for the 2024 death of Sonya Massey, was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison followed by two years of supervised probation.
In court, Grayson, gave a statement following his defense, for the first time admitting wrongdoing against Massey, a Black mother of two who had called 911 about a possible prowler outside her Springfield home.
Grayson said he made “terrible decisions” that night and apologized for her death. “I was very unprofessional that night,” Grayson said. “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 sentenced Grayson with the maximum penalty. He said of Grayson, “that bit of unreasonable rage needs to be deterred.”
The defense filed a motion for a new trial in November, which the judge denied during today’s sentencing.
Massey’s son and daughter made statements today in court for the first time. Summer Massey, the victim’s daughter, spoke about the traumatic impacts of her mother’s murder, saying her life has never been the same. Her eyes were locked on the paper in front of her as Grayson watched her give her statement.
“It does not feel like he truly understands or cares about the damage he has caused,” Summer said.
Malakai Massey, Sonya’s son, described his “unimaginable” pain. “My soul is ripped, it’s like a part of me is really dead,” Malakai said.
Massey’s family and supporters were assembled inside the courtroom ahead of the sentencing, filling at least eight rows. About 50 protesters were outside the Springfield, Illinois courthouse today shouting “say her name, Sonya Massey.”
After Grayson was sentenced, some members of Massey’s family shouted “yes” while others stood up and pumped their fists.
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.
The charge against Grayson warranted a penalty of 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.
This option would not have been available under a first-degree murder conviction. Had Grayson been convicted of first-degree murder, he could have faced a sentence of 45 years to life in prison. Jurors deliberated for almost 12 hours following closing arguments in October.
Sonya Massey talks with Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson outside her home in Springfield, Ill., on July 6, 2024. Illinois State Police via AP file
John Milhiser, State’s Attorney for Sangamon County, asked the court to sentence Grayson to the maximum sentence of 20 years today, saying, “If the max were more we would ask for more.”
Milhiser said this sentence is necessary to “deter others from committing the same crime.”
Defense attorney Mark Wykoff warned that imprisonment would endanger Grayson’s medical condition, as the former sheriff’s deputy’s Stage 3 colon cancer has worsened and spread.
“As your honor is aware, Grayson was diagnosed w Stage 3 colon cancer in 2023,” Wykoff said. “That has now spread to his liver, and now he has Stage 4 cancer, separate and apart from the Stage 4 colon cancer, in the form of rectal cancer. And cancer to his liver, and cancer to his lungs.”
Wykoff also said Grayson should be sentenced for crimes committed in Sangamon County, Illinois, and that the case is “not a referendum on the rest of the country.”
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.”
Wilburn reiterated these sentiments during today’s sentencing, saying that Grayson had shown “no remorse for his actions” and recommending the maximum sentence for Grayson.
