Peoria – The trial of former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson involved in the fatal shooting of Springfield resident Sonya Massey began today.
Massey, a Black 36-year-old mother of two, called police from her home to report a prowler. Two deputies responded to the scene, one of whom was Grayson.
According to a report written after the incident, Grayson said he feared bodily arm after Massey who was holding a pot of boiling water, said “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” He reportedly shot Massey three times.
Grayson was later charged with three counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated battery, and one count of official misconduct. He pleaded not guilty and was held in jail pending trial.
In April a judge granted Grayson’s attorney’s request for a change in venue who said media coverage and the nature of the case have “shaped public perception, making it difficult to separate fact from speculation. The case was subsequently moved from Sangamon County to Peoria.
Most of the jurors told the judge they had heard of the case from previous media coverage, but said it would not impact their ability to deliver an impartial verdict.