Former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson has been found guilty of second-degree murder for the July 2024 fatal shooting of Sonya Massey.
A Peoria County jury deliberated for nearly 12 hours over two days before returning the verdict. Grayson was charged with first-degree murder for shooting Massey in her home in unincorporated Springfield as he and another deputy investigated a prowler call.
The jury was allowed to consider the second-degree murder charge, which is defined as the result of a “sudden and intense passion resulting from serious provocation by the individual killed…” Grayson faces a prison sentence of four to 20 years.
Sentencing is January 29 in Sangamon County. Grayson remains in custody.
