Testimony has begun in the murder trial of former Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson, who shot and killed Sonya Massey in her home last year after she had called 911 for help.

Springfield

Testimony has begun in the first-degree murder trial of former Illinois sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson, who is accused of fatally shooting Sonya Massey in her home after she called 911 about a suspected prowler. Prosecutors describe the evidence as overwhelming, focusing on body camera footage that shows Grayson entering Massey's home, questioning her, and ultimately shooting her after a confrontation involving a pot of boiling water.

Grayson has pleaded not guilty, claiming self-defense, while another officer present testified that Massey did not appear to be a threat. Reports indicate Grayson had worked at six law enforcement agencies in four years and faced prior allegations of misconduct. Following Massey's death, Sangamon County settled with her family and enacted a law requiring more rigorous background checks for law enforcement hires.

Testimony begins in murder trial of ex-deputy who killed Sonya Massey

We begin tonight with the first-degree murder trial of a former Illinois sheriff's deputy. Sean Grayson is on trial for shooting 36-year-old Sonia Massey in her home in July of 2024 after she called 911 about a suspected prowler. Anna Schechter reports prosecutors are calling the evidence in the case overwhelming. Emotionally charged opening statements today inside a Peoria, Illinois courtroom where state attorneys are asking a jury to find former sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson guilty of murdering Sonia Massey. Grayson has pleaded not guilty. Civil rights advocates have been gathering outside the courthouse to show support for Massey's family. It's a pretty clear cut. It should be open and shut. I am hoping that the jurors will do the right thing. The case hinges on body camera video showing Grayson responding to Massey's 911 call about a possible prowler. Over the course of about five minutes, Grayson is seen entering her home, questioning her and becoming angry. Grayson's attorneys say the shooting was self-defense that he felt threatened when Massey went to take a pot of boiling water off the stove. Shortly after, he shot her as she crouched down. The officer who was with Grayson gave testimony today and said Massey never said or did anything that made me think she was a threat. CBS News found Grayson had cycled through six different law enforcement agencies in four years and had been accused of bullying and abuse of power. In the wake of the shooting, CBS News also found dozens of allegations of misconduct by law enforcement at the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office where Grayson worked. Last December, CBS News spoke to Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch, who took over the office after Massey's death. I don't think that the Sheriff's Office has a policing problem. Do you run into bad employees? Probably every agency has had those people. The trial is expected to last two weeks, and if convicted, Grayson could spend 45 years to life in prison. In February, Sangamon County agreed to a $10 million settlement with Massey's family, and in August, a law named after Massey went into effect that requires law enforcement in Illinois to undergo rigorous background checks before they get hired.

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Jerusalem

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Breakdown