PEORIA, Ill. – Family members of Sonya Massey were joined by their attorney and advocates to urge for changes after Sean Grayson was convicted in her death.
Grayson is the former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy who was found guilty on Wednesday in the July 2024 shooting death of Massey at her home while on a police call. Grayson shot Massey after he gave her commands to put a pot of hot water down.
After two days of deliberations in a week-and-a-half trial, Grayson was convicted of second-degree murder, but acquitted on multiple counts of first-degree murder. He is facing 4-20 years in prison, or potential probation.
Attorney Antonio Romanucci says the jury rebuked Sean Grayson, referencing a line Massey said to Grayson before he shot her.
“Make no mistake, Sean Grayson is convicted of murder,” Romanucci said. “He is a murderer now.”
Romanucci and Massey’s family members expressed disappointment and anger at the second-degree murder conviction, believing Grayson should have been found guilty of first-degree.
Romanucci spoke further about the case after the verdict. He says it was proven in court that Massey was never a threat, but that the jury found some issue of self-defense. Romanucci continued to say that Grayson used his strength and power that he would shoot her in the face, while she was holding just a pot of water, and did exactly what he said he would do.
Romanucci concluded by saying that while a person has a right to a jury of their peers, he didn’t know if the jury was one made of Sonya’s peers or Grayson’s peers.
Family members of Massey expressed anger at the verdict. Her father, James WilburN, wants to see Grayson receive the maximum sentence, and called the rulings a “miscarriage of justice” in Peoria.
“Sean Grayson should be able to get out of jail, when my daughter can get out of that burial vault, and walk out of Oakwood Cemetery,” Wilburn said.
Wilburn also blasted Sangamon County for hiring Grayson, with his history in other police departments. Grayson’s employment history included a stint in Logan County, with records showing that he needed more extensive training, but was never fired from the department.
Wilburn also urged legislators to pass justice reforms, such as the George Floyd Policing Act, saying “there’s a difference in this country when you have my skin color and Grayson’s skin color.”
Massey’s cousin, Sontae Massey, says he was “fueled by rage” after the verdict, adding that the justice system “did exactly what it was designed to do.” Sontae says the “fight has just begun” for him, and will dedicate his life to “dismantling the systems that created this problem.”
Sangamon County advocate Teresa Haley says the verdict is a “painful day” for black people and women, saying Grayson should have been convicted of first-degree murder.
“We can’t call the police and feel safe in our own homes, that’s what Sonya did,” Haley said. “She was murdered in her own home.”
Haley also urged changes to laws regarding classification and punishments for first-degree and second-degree murders, saying she and her groups would try to work with legislators.
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