PHOTO BY DEAN OLSEN
Sontae Massey, proper, a cousin of the late Sonya Massey, tells the information media April 8 after a Sangamon County choose moved the longer term trial of Sean Grayson to Peoria County that the Massey household agrees with the choose’s determination and can attend the trial on daily basis to pursue justice for Sonya Massey. Standing with Sontae Massey are neighborhood activists Teresa Haley and Mark Mason.
The trial of the previous Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy accused of murdering Sonya Massey in July 2024 will happen in Peoria County with jurors who dwell there, Circuit Courtroom Decide Ryan Cadagin determined April 8.
The choose dominated in favor of a movement filed by attorneys for Riverton resident Sean Grayson, 30, to maneuver the trial exterior Sangamon County as a result of in depth pretrial publicity would make it inconceivable to pick an neutral jury.
Sangamon County State’s Legal professional John Milhiser didn’t oppose the protection movement in the course of the listening to, and neither did Massey’s household. Relations mentioned they are going to make the 75-mile journey north on daily basis to attend the trial.
It’s unclear when a trial within the Peoria County Courthouse would start. Cadagin scheduled one other listening to – at 11:30 a.m. April 23 – to debate and doubtlessly resolve on that element and others for a trial that probably will, like different facets of the case, obtain nationwide media consideration.
Cameras are allowed within the courtroom in Illinois on the discretion of native judges, however Cadagin to this point has turned down all media requests to permit video and audio recording.
Grayson has pleaded not responsible to expenses of homicide, official misconduct and aggravated battery with a firearm.
Massey, a Black mom of two youngsters who was coping with psychological well being points, obtained a deadly gunshot wound to the top from Grayson, a white deputy, after Massey known as 911 shortly earlier than 1 a.m. July 6. Authorities mentioned Massey feared there was a prowler in her neighborhood and summoned police to her unincorporated Woodside Township house simply exterior Springfield metropolis limits.
The following confrontation between the 230-pound Grayson, who stood 6 ft 3 inches tall, and the 110-pound Massey, who stood 5 ft 1 inch tall, inside Massey’s modest house was captured on body-worn video from Grayson and one other sheriff’s deputy, who wasn’t charged.
The viral bodycam video confirmed Grayson utilizing profanities and saying he feared that Massey, who was unarmed, may splash boiling water on him a couple of seconds earlier than he fired three photographs at her. One of many bullets hit Massey within the face.
The racial overtones within the case elevated Massey’s dying to these of others highlighted nationally as examples of police brutality and unfair policing. The Massey household is represented by civil rights lawyer Ben Crump and agreed to a $10 million settlement with Sangamon County authorities in alternate for not submitting a wrongful dying lawsuit in civil courtroom.
After the listening to, Springfield resident Sontae Massey, 53, considered one of Sonya Massey’s cousins who sat with different relations and pals within the courtroom viewers, mentioned he and others have been aggravated by Grayson’s demeanor.
“I’m not accustomed to being round killers, however … he appeared terrible jovial for any person that shot a lady within the face,” Sontae Massey mentioned. “We are going to proceed to be at these conferences, and we’ll proceed to hunt justice.”
Grayson, sporting a black and white striped jail outfit, appeared in particular person in courtroom, somewhat than on video, for the primary time since he was arrested. He was clean-shaven, in distinction to the moustache and beard proven in his mugshot on the web site of the Macon County Jail, the place he’s being held.
Grayson appeared calm and sometimes smiled when interacting with Mark Wykoff, considered one of his attorneys, throughout and instantly after the listening to.
Springfield resident Teresa Haley, a neighborhood activist and pal of the Massey household, advised the information media exterior the courtroom that the household believes shifting Grayson’s trial exterior Sangamon County gained’t scale back the probability of a conviction.
“The placement doesn’t change the result,” Haley mentioned. “He assassinated her, and I feel anyone in America will agree that he ought to be sentenced to life, in order that’s what we’re going for.”
