The former Illinois officer that shot and killed Sonya Massey has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Sean Grayson was convicted in October and on Thursday received the maximum sentence. He has been incarcerated since he was charged.
During the sentencing, Grayson apologized to Massey’s family and said that he wished he could bring her back.
“I made a lot of mistakes that night. There were points when I should’ve acted, and I didn’t. I froze,” he said. “I made terrible decisions that night. I’m sorry.”
Massey’s parents and children advocated for Grayson to receive the maximum sentence, as, they say, her death has dramatically changed their lives. Her children will grow up without their mother and their grandmother, Sonya’s mother, has reported living in fear since the incident.
“Today, I’m afraid to call the police in fear that I might end up like Sonya,” said Donna Massey.
When the judge read the sentence, the family was audibly happy about it. After the sentencing hearing ended, they thanked the public for support. However, the victim’s daughter expressed her thoughts on the sentence.
“Twenty years is not enough,” said Massey’s daughter Summer.
The victim called police early on July 6, 2024. She had asked assistance because she thought there was an intruder outside her home.
Massey, who had a history of mental health challenges could be seen repeating, “Please, God” on bodycam footage after Grayson and another officer met her at the door. When they entered, the victim had a pot on the stove that Grayson told his colleague to move. The victim teased Grayson about wanting to avoid, “hot steaming water.”
From there, as Grayson told her to drop the pot, she responded, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” At some point, she did leave the pot alone, but picked it up again.
That’s when Grayson shot Massey in the face.
At trial, the defendant claimed that he was afraid that the victim would try to scald him with the hot water.
Grayson was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, but under Illinois law, the jury was able to convict him of the lesser charge of second-degree murder.
“The justice system did exactly what it’s designed to do today. It’s not meant for us,” said Sontae Massey, the victim’s cousin.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump negotiated a $10 million settlement for Massey’s family.
