Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Shawn Grayson, an ex-Illinois sheriff’s deputy, He is on trial for murder After that Last summer, a Black woman who called 911 for help was shot and killed.
Sonya Massey, 36 year old single mother of two teenagersCalled 911 to report a suspected stalker on his property near Springfield, Illinois on July 6, 2024. When Grayson responded to the call, he fired his gun at Macy after confronting her over the hot water pot she was holding in his home.
Macy’s murder sparked a wave of protests and calls for reform in several cities, including Chicago, New York City, and Atlanta. Former President Joe Biden also issued statement Condoling Massey and condemning his murder.
“Sonya’s death at the hands of a responding officer reminds us that too often Black Americans have to fear for their safety in a way many of us don’t have to,” Biden said.
Grayson, who is white, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges. Their trial began on Monday and included explosive testimony from forensic pathologist Nathaniel Patterson, who told the jury that if Macy had received prompt medical treatment she might have survived.
Here’s what you need to know about this case:
Sonya Massey murdered in her own home after calling 911 for help
Macy’s called emergency responders on July 6, 2024, about a suspected hunter on his property. grayson, Was a Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy at the timeresponded to the scene with his partner, Sheriff’s Deputy Dawson Farley. Body camera footage shows Grayson and Farley entering Macy’s home.
As officers spoke to Massey, she went to her kitchen and started handling a pot of hot water. Grayson stepped back and Macy asked why. He told her it was to avoid “hot, steaming water.”
Macy responded, “Get away from my hot, steamy water? I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson later said he thought the comment meant she wanted to kill him.
Grayson pulled out his gun and yelled at him to drop the pot. Macy apologized, dropped the pot and hid behind the counter, but as Grayson continued yelling, she appeared to pick him up again, according to associated Press,
Grayson then fired his gun three times, hitting Massey once in the left side of his face. He was declared dead at the local hospital.
Shawn Grayson has two DUI convictions
Grayson, 31, was fired from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office and arrested less than two weeks after the shooting.
grayson Worked in six different law enforcement agencies in four years before he was hired by Sangamon County Sheriff’s DepartmentGrayson has also been convicted of driving under the influence twice. He was discharged from the U.S. Army in 2016 due to his first DUI conviction, according to associated Press,
There is no indication that Grayson was fired from any job prior to being hired by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, but his previous supervisors had expressed concerns about him, associated Press Report. One department reported that he had a good attitude, but struggled with writing reports; according to the outlet, he was “not good at evidence” and was “boasty.”
Massey’s murder prompted Illinois police reform.
Two months ago, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the “Sonya Massey Bill” into law. The bill modifies police hiring procedures in the state and requires agencies to conduct a comprehensive review of an applicant’s employment history – including detailed employment records – before making a job offer. statement From Pritzker’s office.
The statement said the legislation seeks to increase accountability and prevent “future tragedies like the murder of Sonya Massey.”
“Today, I sign Sonya Massey’s bill to help prevent these tragedies, better equip law enforcement to keep our communities safe, and continue working to create a justice system that protects all of our citizens,” Pritzker said.
In February 2025, Massey’s family also reached a $10 million settlement with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department. statement At the time, Massey’s family called for “more robust background checks, and greater sharing of work history and personal history for applicants for law enforcement roles.”
Forensic pathologist testifies that Massey could have survived
Grayson’s trial began Monday with jury selection. Each side gave opening statements Wednesday morning, and about a dozen witnesses have testified since then.
Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser said Wednesday that it “will become clear that the defendant, without legal justification, shot and killed Sonya Massey in her home.” Meanwhile, defense attorney Daniel Fultz told the jury that “if you decide the shooting was lawful there is no crime.”
Patterson, a forensic pathologist with the Sangamon County Coroner’s Office, testified Thursday that Massey might have survived the gunshot wound if medical attention had been provided immediately and the bleeding had been controlled. local outlet wicsWhen defense attorney Mark Wyckoff said that some people die even after receiving medical treatment for a severed internal carotid artery, Patterson responded, “That’s very true.”
It comes after bombshell testimony Wednesday from Sheriff’s Deputy Farley, who responded to Macy’s home with Grayson. According to the local outlet, Farley told the court that he went to get a medical kit after the shooting, but Grayson said it was not needed because Massey had been shot in the head. stick news,
“I was shocked by the comment, this was not our training,” Farley said, according to the outlet.
Farley testified that he still provided first aid, but later heard a sergeant say that there was nothing that could be done. Massey was still breathing when it happened, Farley reportedly said.
The jury also heard from Louis Dekmar, a retired police chief from LaGrange, Georgia, who testified Thursday as an expert witness on police policy and procedure. According to WAND News, Dekmar said he reviewed body camera footage from both officers and believes Grayson violated department policies. Dekmar also said he determined that Massey had not displayed threatening behavior before Grayson pulled out the weapon.
Under cross-examination, Dekmar was asked whether Grayson thought he was acting out of fear when he pulled out the weapon. Decmar responded that Grayson’s actions “were not consistent with fear and intimidation,” WAND News reported.
According to WAND News, Joseph F. of the University of South Carolina. Rice School of Law law professor Seth Stoughton also testified Friday that Grayson’s actions were tactically “unprovoked” and that he did not think Massey posed a threat.
The trial is expected to take one and a half weeks.
Independent The Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office and Grayson’s defense attorneys have been contacted for comment. A lawyer for the Massey family declined to comment, citing the ongoing court proceedings.