Metro-East News

Jury trial underway for former IL deputy accused in woman's death. What to know

Stories by Belleville News-Democrat journalists, with AI summarization

Former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office deputy Sean Grayson's criminal trial is underway in Peoria, IL.

Grayson, who faces charges of first-degree murder and official misconduct, shot Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old unarmed Black woman, after she reported a prowler in July 2024.

Massey's family stated she was suffering a mental health crisis at the time of her death. Grayson has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Controversy has surrounded Grayson's release from jail, sparked by a court's decision amidst significant public concern.

Grayson's previous history has caused concern about hiring deputies with past DUIs, like Grayson, reflecting deeper systemic issues. A different case involved another deputy whose history of misconduct was reportedly overlooked.

The Department of Justice assessed the incident and called for accountability regarding the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.

The jury selection for Grayson's murder trial has concluded with opening arguments set to begin Oct. 21.

Read more in the stories below:

Attorney Benjamin Crump, the renowned civil rights lawyer who is representing the family of Sonya Massey, speaks at a news conference Tuesday alongside Massey’s son, Malachi Hill Massey. By Andrew Campbell

NO. 1: FEDS ARE `ASSESSING THE CIRCUMSTANCES’ IN DEATH OF SANGAMON COUNTY WOMAN SHOT BY DEPUTY

“This is the worst police shooting video ever,” a lawyer for the family said. | Published July 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Beth Hundsdorfer

Amid the fallout of the shooting of Sonya Massey at the hands of a Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department deputy, Sheriff Jack Campbell announced Friday that he would resign by the end of August.

NO. 2: ILLINOIS DEPUTY HAD DUI WHEN HE SHOT WOMAN. HE’S NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH TROUBLING RECORD

Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson had two DUI convictions before being charged with the murder of Sonya Massey. He’s not the only one. | Published September 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Beth Hundsdorfer

Sean Grayson

NO. 3: APPEALS COURT ORDERS ILLINOIS DEPUTY WHO FATALLY SHOT WOMAN TO BE RELEASED UNTIL TRIAL

Sonya Massey was shot and killed after calling Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department deputies to report a prowler outside her home. | Published December 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Beth Hundsdorfer

Sean Grayson is pictured in a booking photo. The former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy is charged with first-degree murder and accused of shooting Sonya Massey to death in her kitchen. He has pleaded not guilty.

NO. 4: JURY CHOSEN IN MURDER TRIAL OF FORMER SANGAMON COUNTY DEPUTY SEAN GRAYSON

A jury was chosen Monday in the murder trial of former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson. | Published October 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Beth Hundsdorfer

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.