Ex-deputy convicted in 2024 shooting death of Sonya Massey
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A sign showing Sonya Massey, whom an Illinois sheriff's deputy killed in her Springfield home last year. Photo: Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
A former Illinois sheriff's deputy has been convicted of second-degree murder after body cam footage showed him fatally shooting a 36-year-old Black woman who had called 911 for help last year.
The big picture: Sean Grayson's conviction on Wednesday was a rare case of an officer facing trial for excessive force, even after states passed police reforms following the 2020 murder of George Floyd.
Driving the news: A Peoria, Illinois, jury convicted Grayson of second-degree murder after deliberating for almost 12 hours.
- The conviction followed a trial where Grayson testified that he thought Massey was going to toss boiling water on him after she said, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus."
- Prosecutors told jurors that Massey made no such move and complied with orders to drop the pot of water, which she was merely removing from a stove.
- Outside the courthouse, protesters erupted after the guilty verdict — chanting, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus."
Catch up quick: Authorities say Massey had called 911 to report a suspected prowler. Grayson, who is white, and another deputy arrived at her home to search the area.
- Video footage shows Grayson following Massey inside her home and asking her for identification while she sits on a sofa. The unarmed Massey then gets up to remove a pot of hot water from the stove.
- The footage shows Grayson demanding that she drop the water. She apologizes and ducks before Grayson shoots her three times, including once in the head. He then discourages the other deputy from using a medical kit to save her.
Zoom out: Her death at the hands of law enforcement came amid the 10th anniversary of Eric Garner and Michael Brown's deaths, bringing the shooting of Black Americans by police back in focus.
- Massey's death spurred some reforms in Illinois. Gov. JB Pritzker (D) in August signed the Sonya Massey Act, which requires stricter background checks for the hiring of law enforcement officers.
- Grayson had reportedly worked for six law enforcement agencies in four years, highlighting how easy it is for officers who face discipline at one agency to simply find another job with a badge and a gun.
Yes, but: The national push for federal police reform lost momentum amid infighting between progressive and moderate Democrats and Republicans, who were willing to pass some reforms.
- President Trump has effectively ended any discussions of reforms, and his Department of Justice has scrapped proposed consent decrees for some of the country's most scrutinized police departments.
What we're watching: Massey's family is upset that Grayson wasn't convicted of first-degree murder and isn't facing life in prison.
- Grayson now faces up to 20 years in prison.
- "While we believe Grayson's actions deserved a first-degree conviction, today's verdict is still a measure of justice for Sonya Massey," civil rights and personal injury attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci said in a statement. The firm has represented Massey's family.
- "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. We will continue to fight for Sonya's family and for reforms that protect everyone from unlawful use of force."
Go deeper: New data show deadly police encounters hit decade-high in 2024
