* Sun-Times…

A white former sheriff’s deputy convicted of murdering an unarmed Black woman in her Springfield area home was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison, marking a capstone in a racially charged case of police brutality that drew national headlines.

A jury in October found Sean Grayson, 31, guilty of second-degree murder for fatally shooting Sonya Massey, 36, in the face in July 2024. The mother of two had called the police to report a potential prowler outside her house.

That was a lesser charge than the first-degree murder conviction Sangamon County prosecutors were originally seeking.

* Illinois Times…

A cheer went up in the courtroom and Donna Massey, Sonya’s mother, said, “Thank you God, thank you God,” as the hearing concluded.

But after the decision by Circuit Judge Ryan Cadagin, Sean Grayson could end up serving less than half of that time in prison. That’s because a Peoria County jury on Oct. 29 found the 31-year-old Riverton resident, originally charged with first-degree murder after the shooting death of Massey, 36, in her Woodside Township home, guilty of the lesser offense of second-degree murder. […]

Cadagin denied Grayson’s request for a new trial after Grayson’s lawyers, Dan Fultz and Mark Wykoff, argued, among other things, that the judge erred in allowing the jury of nine women and three men to hear Grayson’s disparaging remarks about Massey after the shooting.
Grayson’s lawyers have the option of filing an appeal with a higher court in the coming weeks.

* Sonya Massey’s mother, father, son, and daughter addressed the court with victim impact statements. WAND…

Donna, [Sonya’s mother], started her statement by telling the court she hasn’t stopped crying. She also told the court she fears calling the police.

Donna detailed nightmares she’s had since Grayson killed her daughter.

Her mother detailed her daughter’s chronic illness and health battles.

“Sonya would give you the shirt off her back,” Donna said.

As she fought back tears, Donna detailed the compassion her daughter had. She talked about the love she had for her family and children.

Donna then looked directly at Grayson and said, “Sean Grayson, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

* NPR Illinois…

The ex-deputy appeared at his hearing in an inmate jumpsuit and full beard.

“I wish there was something I could do to bring her back,” he told the courtroom before the sentence was imposed. He admitted mistakes were made. “I wish this didn’t happen. I wish (Massey’s family) didn’t have to go through this experience. I am very sorry.”

* Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield)…

“Nothing will bring Sonya back. Today’s sentencing does not change the fact Sean Grayson took an innocent life,” said Turner. “I stand with the Massey family and my community as we continue to mourn the unjust loss of Sonya. Since Sonya’s murder, I’ve been committed to making the necessary changes to ensure our community has trust in those who protect and serve, and I’m dedicated to continuing this work now more than ever.”

* More…

* Tribune | Ex-Sangamon County deputy sentenced to 20 years in prison for Sonya Massey second-degree murder conviction: “I was very unprofessional that night,” Grayson said somberly. In the courtroom, he was shackled and clad in white-and-black-stripped jail garb. “Your honor, I made a lot of mistakes that night…I made terrible decisions that night…I wish there was something I could do to bring her back.” Mark Wykoff, one of Grayson’s lawyers, tried to argue for a six-year prison sentence, saying in part that Grayson has colon cancer that has spread.

* AP | A former Illinois deputy is sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Sonya Massey: After the hearing, Massey’s relatives thanked the public for the support and listening to their stories about Massey. “Twenty years is not enough,” her daughter Summer told reporters.