Former Sangamon County deputy convicted of murder dies while in custody
State parole board denied a medical release for Sean Grayson just three weeks ago.
Tag: Sangamon County
As people protest data centers across the Heartland, lawmakers rush to regulate development
Development of large-scale data centers is booming across the Midwest and South. As some communities push back, local and state governments are trying to catch up on how to regulate the new development.
A former Illinois deputy is sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Sonya Massey
The white former deputy killed Massey, who was Black, on July 6, 2024. The 36-year-old single mother had called the police saying she feared there was a prowler outside her Springfield home. Grayson shot her in the face.
Jury deliberations start in trial of Illinois deputy who killed Sonya Massey
The jury received the case at about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday following closing arguments in the trial of 31-year-old Sean Grayson. Grayson responded to Sonya Massey’s home in Springfield in July 2024 after her call about a prowler.
Opening statements Wednesday in trial of ex-Illinois officer who killed Sonya Massey
The trial was moved to Peoria because of publicity. Testimony likely will feature a competition of experts on police training and expected practices and justified use of force by police.
Pritzker signs police background check expansion in Sonya Massey’s honor
Deputy accused of Sangamon County woman’s murder had troubling past.
Four students dead after vehicle strikes a Chatham child care facility
Police say four people were killed Monday afternoon when a vehicle drove into the YNOT After School Camp, located at 301 Breckenridge Road in Chatham.
Massey attorneys announce $10 million settlement in wrongful death case
The Sangamon County Board approved the settlement on Tuesday, seven months after a deputy shot the unarmed woman in her home near Springfield
Sangamon County reaches settlement with Sonya Massey’s family
A memo shows county officials have negotiated with the family’s lawyers and both sides reached a deal for the county to pay $10 million.
US Justice Department, Illinois sheriff agree to policing upgrades after Sonya Massey shooting death
A Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy shot the 36-year-old, unarmed Black woman in her home after she called police for help.
Appellate Court finds former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson should be released until trial
Prosecutors will ask the Illinois Supreme Court to review an appellate court ruling that found former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson should be released from jail pending trial on charges related to the July 6 shooting death of Sonya Massey.
In the wake of Sonya Massey’s death, Springfield will test a new way to handle mental health calls
Massey’s death at the hands of police has prompted calls for change, but would those changes have been enough to prevent her killing? Sonya Massey, 36, was seeking mental health treatment up until the day she was shot and killed by former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson. County records show 911 calls from Sonya
In Sangamon County, Grayson wasn’t the only deputy hired with a DUI on his record
Former Sheriff Jack Campbell retired amid scrutiny of his personnel decisions. Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell came under fire for his hiring practices after he employed a deputy with two DUI convictions, who is now accused of the murder of an unarmed black woman in her kitchen. But it wasn’t the first time he chose
Before killing Sonya Massey, Sean Grayson had a case thrown out after bringing charges with no evidence. Departments kept hiring him
Sean Grayson had a history of credibility issues. It didn’t stop him from being hired at police departments in Central Illinois.
Massey Commission plans first listening session
The newly formed Massey Commission will host its first listening session this month. The commission, which includes officials and members of the public, was created in response to the killing of Sonya Massey this summer. The first session will be to understand the public’s hopes and concerns before finalizing the final mission and goals. Massey