Source: ABC 7 Eyewitness News
“A jury on Wednesday convicted an Illinois sheriff’s deputy of second-degree murder, a lesser charge, in the shooting death of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who called 911 to report a suspected prowler. Sean Grayson could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison or even probation. The jury did not convict him of first-degree murder, a crime that carries a sentence of 45 years to life. … He shot the 36-year-old woman after confronting her about how she was handling a pot of hot water on the stove. Grayson and his attorneys argued that he fired his gun in fear that Massey would scald him with hot water. … Grayson, 31, was charged with first-degree murder, but the jury was given the option of considering second-degree murder, which can apply when a defendant faces a ‘serious provocation’ or believes their action is justified even if that belief is unreasonable. He will be sentenced on Jan. 29.” (10/29/25)