Former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson will stay behind bars after the Illinois Prisoner Evaluation Board unanimously denied his request for an early medical launch, regardless of his terminal Stage 4 colon most cancers analysis.
In keeping with NBC Information, the three-member board voted 3-0 Friday to reject Grayson’s petition to finish his 20-year jail sentence after serving roughly six months. Grayson, who was convicted of second-degree homicide for fatally taking pictures Sonya Massey inside her Springfield, Illinois, dwelling in July 2024, sought launch underneath Illinois’ Joe Coleman Act, which permits sure incarcerated people who find themselves terminally ailing or medically incapacitated to hunt compassionate launch.
NBC Information studies that though a medical analysis discovered Grayson’s most cancers to be irreversible, incurable and more likely to end in loss of life inside 18 months, the evaluating doctor decided he’s not medically incapacitated as a result of he stays able to independently performing day by day actions.
Sangamon County State’s Lawyer John C. Milhiser urged the board to disclaim the petition, arguing Grayson continues to pose a hazard to the general public no matter his analysis.
“Grayson was already recognized with most cancers when he shot and killed Sonya Massey in her kitchen,” Milhiser wrote.
“His mood and willingness to escalate minor misunderstandings into deadly encounters reveals that he poses a hazard to any particular person he comes into contact with.”
“Most cancers doesn’t make him much less harmful.”
Grayson continued to characterize the taking pictures as self-defense in a handwritten assertion included together with his software, writing that Massey attacked him with a pot of boiling water. The assertion didn’t specific regret for her loss of life.
Massey’s household urged board to reject compassionate launch
Grayson and his attorneys weren’t current for Friday’s listening to. In keeping with WCIA, Sonya Massey’s household appeared earlier than the Prisoner Evaluation Board to ship emotional sufferer affect statements opposing his launch.
Sonya’s cousin, Sontae Massey, advised the panel that no assertion might absolutely seize the devastation Grayson’s actions have precipitated their household.
“I’m unsure that I can write, communicate or articulate something that may embody the devastation that Sean Grayson has created for our household.”
Sontae additionally argued that Grayson had already acquired compassion when he was convicted of second-degree homicide relatively than first-degree homicide.
“We must always all have the same opinion upon one easy idea: nobody is above the regulation.”
He concluded his remarks by urging the board:
“Make him serve that sentence.”
In WCIA, Sonya’s son, Malachi Massey, additionally opposed Grayson’s request, reminding the board that his mom suffered from lupus and kidney illness earlier than she was killed.
“He killed my mother in chilly blood. He was not desirous about his medical scenario when he did what he did, or my mom’s both.”
Mother and father say Grayson deserves no compassion
WCIA states that Sonya’s father, James Wilburn, argued the sentencing decide had already thought of Grayson’s most cancers earlier than imposing the utmost sentence obtainable following his second-degree homicide conviction.
“The homicide of my daughter has shocked the conscience of our nation.”
Wilburn urged the board to not launch Grayson, telling members:
“Please don’t let this killer out on the streets of Sangamon County.”
Sonya’s mom, Donna Massey, turned emotional whereas recalling her daughter’s last moments and questioned why Grayson ought to obtain compassion after exhibiting none to her daughter.
“Letting Sean Grayson out in 9 months of a 20-year sentence? For compassion? He’s a menace to society. He shouldn’t be strolling round.”
Following a personal deliberation, the board unanimously denied Grayson’s petition, drawing applause from many individuals gathered within the listening to room.
Household praises ruling however says their work isn’t over
Following the choice, the Massey household joined legal professional Cliff Jones of Ben Crump Legislation Agency for a information convention. WCIA states that is the place Jones learn an announcement from civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci.
“The Prisoner Evaluation Board made the proper determination and reaffirmed the jury’s verdict and the sentence the court docket imposed.”
The assertion added:
“Nobody is above accountability, and a badge doesn’t present an early approach out.”
James Wilburn thanked the board for what he known as the proper determination and mentioned Grayson ought to stay imprisoned till the total sentence is full.
“I believe Sean Grayson must be allowed out of jail when my daughter can stroll out of that cemetery.”
Sontae Massey mentioned the household’s advocacy will proceed by means of organizations fashioned in Sonya’s reminiscence, together with the Massey Group Motion Community, including they intend to oppose any future efforts to shorten Grayson’s sentence.
“We are going to proceed to work so long as there’s the specter of Sean Grayson or anybody else who perpetrates these crimes and tries to get out on early launch.”
In keeping with WCIA, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker praised the Prisoner Evaluation Board’s determination, calling Sonya Massey’s killing “a profound loss” and pointing to the Sonya Massey Invoice. This invoice was signed into regulation to strengthen police hiring practices throughout Illinois.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton likewise expressed help for the ruling, saying the choice displays Illinois’ dedication to accountability earlier than ending her assertion with,
“Say her identify. Sonya Massey.”
