Former Sangamon County Deputy Gets 20 Years for Killing of Sonya Massey

Former Deputy Sentenced in Springfield, Illinois Shooting

On Thursday, in Springfield, Illinois, former Sangamon County sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the second-degree murder of Sonya Massey. A jury convicted Grayson in October 2025 for the fatal shooting that occurred in July 2024 at Massey’s home in Springfield, after she called 911 to report a possible intruder.

Judge Ryan Cadagin imposed the 20-year prison term and ordered an additional two-year period of mandatory supervised release. The judge also ruled that Grayson will receive credit for time he has already served. Prosecutors had indicated that the potential sentence ranged from probation to four to 20 years in prison.

Details of the July 2024 Shooting

Body camera footage from July 6, 2024, shows Grayson inside Massey’s home in Springfield pointing to a pot of boiling water on her stove and telling her, “Walk away from your hot steaming water.” The video then shows Massey appearing to pour the water into the sink and repeating his words before saying, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

According to the footage, Grayson threatens to shoot her. Massey apologizes and ducks behind a counter, covering her face with what appears to be a red oven mitt. When she briefly rises, Grayson shoots her three times in the face. During the trial, Grayson testified that he believed Massey was going to throw the scalding water on him and that he was scared. An assistant state’s attorney stated that Massey’s final words before being shot, with her hands up, were “I’m sorry.”

Victim Impact and Courtroom Statements

Before sentencing, Massey’s family delivered victim impact statements. Her mother, Donna Massey, told the court that she is now afraid to call the police and addressed Grayson with the words, “Sean Grayson, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” which the body camera footage captured her daughter saying before she was killed. Massey’s son Malachi told the court that he had to assume adult responsibilities at age 17 after his mother’s death and described feeling lost without her.

Grayson addressed the court prior to sentencing and apologized to Massey’s family. He stated that he wished he could bring her back and said he was sorry that they had to endure the experience. He told the judge that he had made “a lot of mistakes” on the night Massey died, said there were moments when he should have acted but did not, and characterized his decisions that night as “terrible.”

Legal Proceedings and Motions

Grayson was originally charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct in connection with Massey’s death. He pleaded not guilty to all counts. After a seven-day trial in October 2025, the jury was given the option to consider a charge of second-degree murder instead of first-degree murder, and he was ultimately convicted of second-degree murder.

On Dec. 2, 2025, Grayson’s attorneys filed a motion seeking a new trial. The motion argued that several alleged erroneous rulings had caused prejudice to the defendant. Among the issues raised were claims that the court had incorrectly focused on Grayson’s obligations as a police officer rather than on any danger he posed as a private citizen when deciding not to release him before trial, and that the judge should not have allowed the body camera video showing Grayson’s statements and actions after the shooting to be admitted into evidence.

On Thursday morning, before announcing the sentence, Judge Cadagin denied Grayson’s request for a new trial. Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser stated that his office had filed a motion asking the judge to reject the defense request. Grayson’s attorneys declined to comment following the sentencing.