* First, some background from Capitol News Illinois…

The ex-Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy convicted of murdering Sonya Massey in her kitchen is asking for medical release from a state prison ­— and maintaining that Massey “attacked” him.

Sean Grayson’s case will go before the Illinois Prisoner Review Board on Friday, less than six months into the 20-year prison sentence he received after being convicted of second-degree murder in October.

He filed for release under the Joe Coleman Act in May, citing symptoms of advanced colon cancer.

In his hand-written application, obtained by Capitol News Illinois via the Freedom of Information Act, Grayson did not show remorse in his description of the shooting, maintaining that Massey attacked him with a pot of boiling water. He also did not check a box stating his condition was likely to lead to his death in the next 18 months.

It’s standard process for the Illinois Department of Corrections to conduct a medical examination following the receipt of an application for release to determine eligibility. In this case, the medical professional, whose name was redacted, did fill in the box that said Grayson was likely to die within 18 months.

Click here to read Grayson’s application.

* WAND…

The Illinois Prisoner Review Board decided today Sean Grayson will not be released from prison. The decision was made by a three-member panel from the Illinois Prisoner Review Board.

It was a 3-0 vote to deny the petition. Grayson can request early release again if he would like.

Before the review started, more than two dozen demonstrators stood outside the Prisoner Review Board building, asking that Grayson stay behind bars.

More than twenty members of the Massey family and supporters attended the hearing. This included Sonya Massey’s cousins, children, father, and uncle.