What to know about the murder trial of an Illinois sheriff deputy who killed Sonya Massey

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (AP) — Murder trial of Illinois sheriff’s deputy accused of murder Sonia MasseyThe trial of a black woman who was shot in her home last year after calling police for help is set to begin Monday.

Responding to a call about a suspected prowler, Sean Grayson, 31, shot at Massey, 36, at his Springfield home early July 6, 2024, after Grayson confronted him about how he was using a pot of hot water that he had ordered removed from the stove.

Jurors will report Monday and the trial could continue into next week.

Massey’s killing raises new questions about US law enforcement shootings Black people in their homes and it led to a change Illinois law requires more transparency about the background of law enforcement candidates.

Here’s what you need to know about the charges.

The location of the hearing was changed due to national interest

In addition to first-degree murder, Grayson is also charged with aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He pleaded not guilty.

Widespread publicity over Grayson’s shooting of Massey led Sangamon County Circuit Judge Ryan Cadagin to move the trial to Springfield, 200 miles (322 kilometers) southwest of Chicago. Jurors instead will come from Peoria and surrounding areas, an hour’s drive north, and hear the case at their local courthouse.

Grayson, who is white, faces 45 years to life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder.

Body camera footage shows the attack

After Grayson and another officer checked the area around Massey’s home, body camera footage shows Grayson knocking on his door to report that they found nothing suspicious. The person entered the house to get the details of the report, noticed a pan on the stove and ordered it to be removed. Massey took it.

Laughing at Grayson, he asked why he was retreating; He said he tried to avoid the “hot, steaming water.” Massey responded, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson wrote in an incident report: “I took this to mean: he was going to kill me.”

According to body camera video, Grayson drew his 9mm handgun and yelled at Massey to drop the basket. He apologized, then put the pan down and hid behind a counter, but in his confusion, Grayson apparently picked up the pan again as he yelled. Grayson fired three times. Massey once just under his left eye..

Massey’s family sought mental health care

Massey, a single mother of two teenage children with a strong religious belief, struggled with mental health issues. When she answered Grayson’s knock on the door minutes before the shooting, she said, “Don’t hurt me,” and then when she was interrogated and Grayson asked her if she was okay, she repeatedly said, “Please God.”

Earlier that week, Sonya Massey found herself in a 30-day inpatient mental health program He was in St. Louis but returned two days later without explanation.

County records show in the days before the shooting, Three calls were made to 911 By or on behalf of Massey. In one of them, her mother, Donna Massey, told authorities her daughter was having a “mental breakdown.” Donna Massey also told the officer, “I don’t want you to hurt him.”

Grayson was not aware of the searches or Massey’s past. County officials have since said there is no practical way to identify and transmit such information to police responding to emergency calls.

Lawmaker’s background led to Illinois reform

It was Grayson Arrested and fired 11 days after killing Massey from the sheriff’s department.

As his background was examined, Massey’s family and others questioned why Grayson, who had been a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy for 14 months, accused him. ever been hired.

In his early 20s, he was kicked out of the army due to a drunk driving arrest in which he had a gun in his car. He was convicted of drunk driving again during the year.

Grayson held four law enforcement assignments in six years before joining the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department; the first three of these were part-time.

There was no indication Grayson had been fired from any job, but reviews from past employers documented concerns about him. One department reported that Grayson worked hard and had a good attitude, but had trouble writing reports, was “not very good with evidence, left things lying around in the office” and was “bragging.”

Jack Campbell, Sangamon County sheriff, had to retire six weeks after the shooting. But he insisted none of Grayson’s problems disqualified him from working as an MP.

State law enforcement officials had certified Grayson to serve at each of his previous jobs, but Campbell He asked him to go to the 16-week police academy training course though.

In August, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a law requiring potential police officers to consent to the disclosure of all personal and employment history records to any law enforcement agency considering hiring them. Legislative sponsors of the measure acknowledged that it does not prevent the hiring of up-and-down candidates but does provide greater transparency.