UPDATED AT 12:35 P.M.
PEORIA, ILL. (25 NEWS) – Day five of former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson’s murder trial featured testimony from a national expert on police use of force.
25 News reports that Seth Stoughton, a law professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law, has served as an expert witness approximately 150 times. He was brought in to review Grayson’s actions by watching body camera footage and examining police reports, interviews, and policies.
Stoughton testified that he was evaluating whether Grayson’s actions were consistent with generally accepted police practices at the time of the incident.
The defense objected before testimony began, with attorney Daniel Fultz arguing it could confuse the jury. Fultz said Stoughton never reviewed Sangamon County laws and doesn’t know what specific policies Grayson was trained on.
Prosecutors clarified that Stoughton wasn’t listed as a policy expert and wasn’t given Sangamon County policies to review. They argued his testimony about general police practices was appropriate.
Judge Ryan Cadigan overruled the objection, saying it’s relevant for the jury to understand accepted standards in policing.
After the ruling, Stoughton testified that tactics determine outcomes in police encounters. He said when someone is displaying mental health issues, the tactical benefits of drawing a weapon are very limited.
“In a situation like that, escalating with show of force or verbal commands increases the possibility of a bad outcome,” Stoughton said.
The prosecution referenced Grayson allegedly threatening to shoot Massey “in the face.”
Stoughton called several of Grayson’s actions tactically unsound. He said closing the distance to Massey increased the opportunity for her to use the pot as a weapon. He also criticized Grayson for stepping in front of his partner, Deputy Dawson Farley, saying it removed the effectiveness of having backup.
Synchronized body camera footage from both Grayson and Farley was shown in court, though Grayson’s camera wasn’t turned on for more than 10 minutes.
Stoughton said the initial interaction showed Massey was experiencing mental health or cognitive issues. She mentioned taking medication and appeared to struggle finding her identification.
When Massey moved toward the pot, Farley created distance, which Stoughton called good practice. However, Grayson moved forward and closed the gap.
Stoughton testified that threatening Massey was not an appropriate tactic and that Grayson’s actions were not consistent with accepted police practices. He said these tactics led to the shooting of Massey.
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PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) – A heated argument erupted between the prosecution and defense Friday morning over the testimony of expert witness Seth Stoughton in the trial of former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson.
25 News reports that Stoughton, a law professor, was called to assess if Grayson’s actions aligned with generally accepted police practices. The defense, led by Daniel Fultz, objected, arguing Stoughton hadn’t reviewed Sangamon County’s specific policies or Grayson’s training, which could confuse the jury.
The prosecution countered that Stoughton was an expert on general policing practices, not specific policies, and his testimony was appropriate.
Sangamon County Chief Judge Ryan Cadigan ultimately overruled the objection, stating that understanding accepted standards was relevant and would assist the jury.
This story will be updated.
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