Sonya Massey Replace: Killer Cop Will get 20 Years
Sean Grayson lastly broke down Thursday when a decide handed him the utmost 20 years for killing Sonya Massey. The previous Sangamon County deputy acquired precisely what prosecutors wished after months of exhibiting zero regret.
Choose Ryan Cadigan didn’t maintain again when he delivered the sentence in Springfield, Illinois. Grayson confronted 4 to twenty years for second-degree homicide, however the decide made it clear this case demanded the harshest punishment doable.
“That little bit of unreasonable rage must be deterred,” Cadigan mentioned from the bench.
The 36-year-old Black mom known as 911 a couple of doable prowler outdoors her residence, however ended up useless in her personal kitchen as an alternative of getting assist. For the primary time since July 2024, Grayson really apologized for what he did to Massey.
“I want there was one thing I may do to convey her again,” Grayson advised the packed courtroom. “I want this didn’t occur. I want they didn’t should undergo this expertise. I’m very sorry.”
His phrases got here method too late for Massey’s household, who crammed eight rows of the courthouse. About 50 protesters gathered outdoors, chanting “Say her identify: Sonya Massey” whereas the proceedings went down inside.
Summer season Massey, now 16, spoke on to her mom’s killer throughout sufferer influence statements. She stored her eyes locked on the paper in entrance of her whereas Grayson watched from the defendant’s desk.
“It doesn’t really feel like he really understands or cares concerning the injury he has brought about,” Summer season mentioned.
{The teenager} advised reporters afterward that 20 years wasn’t sufficient, however she felt grateful for the utmost sentence. Her brother, Malachi Hill Massey, 19, described his ache as “unimaginable” throughout his assertion.
“My soul is ripped, it’s like part of me is actually useless,” Malachi mentioned.
Physique digital camera footage from July 6, 2024, exhibits precisely how this tragedy unfolded. Grayson and his associate responded to Massey’s 911 name a couple of suspected intruder.
Inside her residence, Grayson observed a pot of boiling water on the range and advised Massey to maneuver away from it.
Massey poured the water into the sink and repeated Grayson’s phrases again to him. Then she mentioned one thing that apparently triggered the deputy: “I rebuke you within the identify of Jesus.”
Grayson instantly drew his weapon and threatened to shoot her. Massey apologized and ducked behind a counter, protecting her face with what appeared like a pink oven mitt.
When she briefly stood up, Grayson fired three photographs into her face.
Throughout his October 2025 trial, Grayson claimed he feared Massey would throw the scalding water at him. The jury didn’t purchase his story and convicted him of second-degree homicide after almost 12 hours of deliberation.
Grayson will combat severe well being challenges throughout his bid. He has colon most cancers that has unfold all through his physique since his 2023 prognosis.
Massey’s mom, Donna, delivered her personal highly effective assertion, addressing Grayson with the identical phrases her daughter spoke earlier than dying: “Sean Grayson, I rebuke you within the identify of Jesus.”
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