An Illinois jury on Wednesday found former sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson guilty of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman killed inside her Springfield home in July 2024.
The verdict concludes a closely watched case that reignited national discussions about police accountability and the use of deadly force against Black Americans.
Grayson, 31, was initially charged with three counts of first-degree murder but the jury opted for the lesser charge after two days of deliberations, according to court filings. He faces four to 20 years in prison, though Illinois law allows for probation instead of incarceration. Sentencing is set for January 29.
Authorities said Grayson fired three times after responding to a disturbance call at Massey’s home. Prosecutors argued Massey was attempting to comply when she was shot. Grayson’s defense maintained he acted in self-defense, claiming he believed Massey was about to throw a pot of boiling water at him despite his orders to put it down.
The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office dismissed Grayson shortly after the incident. The case drew attention nationwide, echoing past controversies such as the 2020 killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, though it received less media coverage.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Massey’s family alongside lawyer Antonio Romanucci, said the verdict represents an important step toward justice. “Accountability has begun, and we now hope the court will impose a meaningful sentence that reflects the severity of these crimes and the life that was lost,” the attorneys said in a joint statement.
The Massey family previously received a $10 million settlement from Sangamon County in February. About a month after the shooting, Sheriff Jack Campbell resigned amid growing public pressure, including calls for his removal from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
Grayson’s conviction adds to a small but growing list of U.S. law enforcement officers found guilty of killing civilians while on duty. According to data compiled by the Mapping Police Violence project, fewer than 2% of fatal police shootings since 2013 have resulted in criminal convictions.
The sentencing hearing in January will determine whether Grayson serves prison time or is granted probation.
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Africa Digital News, New York
