Sean Grayson Sonya Massey murder case

Ex-deputy convicted in Sonya Massey killing denied early medical release

Sean Grayson filed for early release.

Sean Grayson, a former Illinois sheriff's deputy convicted in the 2024 fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, filed for early release in May, six months into his sentence. The Illinois Prisoner Review Board denied his request on a 3-0 vote.

Grayson was convicted of second-degree murder in Massey's death and sentenced to 20 years in prison in January. He had been convicted in October, after body-camera footage showed him and another deputy entering Massey's home.

In his release application, Grayson wrote that Massey had "attacked me with a pot of boiling water." He has been diagnosed with colon cancer, which his attorney said in January had advanced to his liver and lungs.

Sangamon County State's Attorney John Milhiser opposed the release, arguing that Grayson's medical condition was already considered at sentencing and that releasing him "would be a miscarriage of justice." Illinois Governor JB Pritzker noted that state law requires the prisoner review board to consider medical release requests.

Sean Grayson was convicted of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey.

Sean Grayson, a former Illinois sheriff's deputy, was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2024 fatal shooting of Sonya Massey. The shooting occurred in Springfield, Illinois.

Sonya Massey was a 36-year-old single mother who called 911 about a possible prowler before being shot inside her home. Body-camera footage showed Grayson and another deputy entering her home; as Massey moved a pot of hot water from the stove, she said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

Grayson was convicted in October and was sentenced to 20 years in prison in January.