Sonya Massey case: ex–Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson found guilty of second-degree murder

An Illinois jury on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, convicted former sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson of second-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman who called 911 from her Springfield home on July 6, 2024. Jurors rejected three counts of first-degree murder but concluded Grayson’s use of deadly force was unlawful, finding he acted on an unreasonable belief that he needed to defend himself.

What the verdict means and what comes next

• Conviction: Second-degree murder.

• Sentencing window: 4 to 20 years in prison is possible under Illinois law; the statute also allows judicial discretion for probation in limited scenarios.

• Sentencing date: January 29 (morning session, Sangamon County).

• Custody status: Grayson remains jailed pending sentencing, with credit for time served to be determined by the court.

Family representatives called the decision a step toward accountability and urged the judge to impose a sentence that reflects the gravity of killing a person who had sought police help.

How did Sonya Massey die?

Body-camera video and testimony established that deputies entered Massey’s home after she reported a suspected prowler. Inside the kitchen, an exchange over a pot of hot water escalated within seconds. Massey—who had been instructed multiple times to put the pot down—was unarmed and standing several feet away when Grayson fired the fatal shots. Prosecutors argued she was attempting to comply and posed no imminent threat; the defense said Grayson feared being scalded. A second deputy testified he did not perceive a level of danger that warranted lethal force.

Why the jury chose second-degree murder

Illinois law allows jurors to convict on second-degree murder when they find an intentional killing paired with an unreasonable belief in the need for self-defense. That framework matched the prosecution’s theory: Grayson intentionally shot Massey, but any claimed fear was objectively unreasonable given the distance, available alternatives (including disengagement and less-lethal tools), and the fact that Massey held no weapon.

The broader Sonya Massey case: reforms and fallout

The shooting prompted sustained demonstrations, policy debates, and personnel changes:

• Leadership change: The county sheriff retired amid public pressure following the incident and its handling.

• Civil resolution: Massey’s family reached a $10 million settlement with county authorities earlier this year.

• Hiring transparency: Lawmakers and police-standards bodies examined gaps in background vetting and decertification reporting to prevent problem officers from moving between agencies.

• Training reviews: Departments statewide revisited guidance on crisis response, distance/time tactics, and less-lethal options when encountering household objects.

Key trial moments

• Witness split: The second responding deputy said he never felt compelled to draw his firearm, undercutting the self-defense claim.

• Use-of-force experts: Specialists testified that accepted tactics—time, distance, and cover—were available and preferable to immediate gunfire.

• The video: Jurors repeatedly requested to rewatch body-camera footage, focusing on the seconds before the shots, Massey’s posture, and the positions of both deputies.

What to watch between now and sentencing

1. Pre-sentence investigation: The court will review Grayson’s record, disciplinary history, and impact statements from Massey’s family.

2. Defense motions: Expect arguments for a downward departure or probation eligibility, likely emphasizing lack of prior convictions and the jury’s rejection of first-degree charges.

3. Prosecutor’s recommendation: The state is expected to seek a prison term, citing the breach of public trust and the context—a caller seeking help.

4. Policy ripples: City and county leaders are preparing additional updates on training modules and dispatcher-officer coordination for welfare and prowler calls.

Why this verdict matters

The Sonya Massey case became a referendum on how officers assess threat in domestic settings and whether the law meaningfully distinguishes honest judgment errors from unreasonable, deadly overreactions. By landing on second-degree murder, the jury signaled that split-second decisions are not immune from accountability when safer alternatives are available and a caller’s own home becomes the scene of avoidable tragedy.

As the community awaits sentencing in January, two facts now stand beyond dispute: Sonya Massey asked for help—and she was killed. The legal system has called that a crime. The next chapter will determine the consequences.