Sean Grayson testified on Monday that when Sonya Massey raised a pot of boiling water, he took it as a threat, which he could only match with his service weapon.
The former sheriff’s deputy is charged with first-degree murder for the July 2024 fatal shooting of Massey in her home in unincorporated Springfield as Grayson and another deputy investigated a prowler call.
Grayson testified he considered using a taser but was concerned about his distance from Massey. Closing arguments are taking place today in Peoria.
The jury will hear instructions that provide the option to find Grayson guilty of second-degree murder, which is without premeditation, as well as options to convict him for first-degree murder or find him not guilty.
