The trial of a former Illinois deputy who is accused of killing Sonya Massey began on Monday in Peoria, Illinois.
Body camera footage shows two deputies responding to the incident, including then-Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson.
Almost two weeks after Massey’s killing, 31-year-old Grayson was fired and charged with three counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated battery, and one count of official misconduct.
Massey’s killing ignited a national firestorm, prompting protesters across the country to call for justice for Massey, who suffered from mental health issues, according to her family.
A group of people gathered for a rally outside the Peoria County Courthouse on Monday morning, holding signs calling for justice for Massey.
On Monday in Peoria, Illinois, the trial of a former Illinois deputy who is charged with the murder of Sonya Massey got underway.
According to officials, Massey, a Black mother of two who was 36 years old, was shot and killed in July 2024 after phoning police to her Springfield residence due to a prowler. Two deputies, including then-Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson, are seen responding to the incident on body camera footage.
White man Grayson shot Massey three times, saying in a post-event report that he was afraid she would be hurt because she was carrying a pot of boiling water. “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” he said. “.”.
The 31-year-old Grayson was fired nearly two weeks after Massey was killed and was accused of three first-degree murder charges, one aggravated battery charge, and one official misconduct charge. After entering a not guilty plea, he was detained pending trial.
A jury selection for Grayson’s trial began Monday morning. The trial is anticipated to run one to two weeks, and cameras were not permitted in the courtroom.
He made an appearance in court on Monday, donning glasses, a navy blue suit, and a tie with stripes of blue and yellow. In the presence of the jury, Grayson sat unbound at the table but was escorted in and out in handcuffs by a Peoria County Sheriff deputy during breaks. Grayson paid close attention to the questions being asked, focusing primarily on the judge and attorneys but occasionally turning to look at the jury.
According to her family, Massey had mental health problems, and her murder sparked a nationwide uproar that led to demonstrators demanding justice for her. Their lawyer, Ben Crump, described the $10 million settlement that Sangamon County officials agreed to pay Massey’s family in February as “just the first step in the journey for justice.”. “.”.
Defense lawyers requested that the trial be moved from Sangamon County to Peoria in April, arguing that the case’s nature and media coverage had “shaped public perception, making it difficult to separate fact from speculation,” according to NBC Chicago.
Holding signs demanding justice for Massey, a crowd assembled for a rally outside the Peoria County Courthouse on Monday morning. “Unite Now Against Racist Violence” was written on one sign. “,”.
“There can be no peace without justice. People in the crowd chanted, “Prosecute the police.”.
Among the few people outside the courthouse was Keri Hayes, chairwoman of the American Civil Liberties Union’s racial justice committee in Peoria.
She said to NBC News, “I truly believe that the police should be held accountable for the senseless killing that occurred.”.
