WASHINGTON, 30 October (H.S.): A white former Illinois sheriff’s deputy, Sean Grayson, was convicted of second-degree murder on Wednesday in the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a Black woman, inside her home in July 2024. The case drew significant national attention and renewed calls for police reform.

The jury reached its verdict after two days of deliberation, finding the 31-year-old Grayson guilty of the lesser charge, rather than first-degree murder. The incident occurred after Massey, a 36-year-old mother of two with a history of mental health issues, called 911 to report a possible intruder at her home near Springfield, Illinois.

Body camera footage played a crucial role in the trial, showing the interaction between Massey and two deputies. After asking her for identification, Grayson instructed Massey to check on a pot of boiling water on the stove. When Massey, holding the pot, said, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus, Grayson drew his weapon, swore at her, and threatened to shoot her in the face.

Massey apologized and crouched behind a counter, but Grayson yelled at her to drop the fucking pot before firing three shots, killing her with a bullet to the face. Grayson testified that he felt threatened by the boiling water.

Ben Crump, the civil rights attorney representing the Massey family, expressed disappointment that Grayson was not convicted of first-degree murder but stated the verdict is still a measure of justice for Sonya Massey. A first-degree murder conviction carries a potential life sentence, while second-degree murder is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

The Sangamon County Board had previously approved a $10 million settlement with Massey’s estate. The shooting revived scrutiny of police violence against African Americans, prompting then-President Joe Biden to comment that Massey should be alive today.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar