Body camera footage captured the shooting and the woman’s desperate cries as she begged, ‘Please, God’

A former Illinois deputy has been sentenced to 20 years for fatally shooting Sonya Massey, a Black woman who called 911 for help.

Sean Grayson, 31, was convicted in October of second-degree murder. Grayson, who is white, received the maximum possible sentence and has been in police custody since being charged in the killing.

Massey’s family members, who were sitting in the court, celebrated his sentence with a loud cheer: “Yes!” The judge admonished them.

Grayson apologized during the sentencing, saying he wished he could bring Massey back and spare her family the pain he caused.

“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.”

  • rumba@lemmy.zipEnglish
    10·
    11 hours ago

    According to body camera footage, Grayson and sheriff’s Deputy Dawson Farley, who was not charged, searched Massey’s yard before meeting her at her door. Massey appeared confused and repeatedly said, “Please, God.” The deputies entered her house, Grayson noticed the pot on the stove and ordered Farley to move it. Instead, Massey went to the stove, retrieved the pot and teased Grayson for moving away from “the hot, steaming water.” From this moment, the exchange quickly escalated. Massey said: “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson drew his sidearm and yelled at her to drop the pan. She set the pot down and ducked behind a counter. But she appeared to pick it up again. That’s when Grayson opened fire on the 36-year-old single mother, shooting her in the face. He testified that he feared Massey would scald him. Grayson was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, which could have led to a life sentence, but a jury convicted him of the lesser charge. Illinois allows for a second-degree murder conviction if evidence shows the defendant honestly thought he was in danger, even if that fear was unreasonable.

    That’s a pretty fucked up situation. Would have been nice if they would have just left.

    There has to be more to it than the article quotes,

    • lightnsfw@reddthat.com
      15·
      11 hours ago

      I saw the video of it. He has no excuse to responding to her the way he did. She was not threatening in any way. 100% calm until he yelled at her and pointed his gun at her so she hid behind the counter. This prick deserves everything he has coming to him in prison.