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PEORIA, Ill. (WGN/AP) — An Illinois assemblage has convicted a erstwhile sheriff’s lawman of second-degree execution successful the shooting decease of Sonya Massey, a Black pistillate who called 911 for help.
The nine-woman, three-man assemblage announced the verdict against Sean Grayson connected Wednesday.
Grayson arrived astatine Massey’s location successful Springfield aft she reported seeing a prowler aboriginal connected July 6, 2024. At the clip of the shooting, Massey was holding a cookware of blistery water. Grayson’s attorneys argued that helium was acrophobic she would propulsion it astatine him.
Jurors deliberated connected Wednesday successful the proceedings of a 31-year-old erstwhile Sangamon County Deputy, which was moved to Peoria owed to pre-trial publicity.
The jury received the lawsuit connected Tuesday and deliberated for much than six hours earlier resuming efforts connected Wednesday.
In July 2024, a 911 telephone led Grayson and his spouse to respond to Massey’s home, who believed idiosyncratic was trying to interruption in. The telephone for assistance turned deadly during a confrontation implicit her handling of a cookware of blistery water.
Video shows Massey putting her hands up arsenic she removed the cookware from the stove. Then, Massey said, "I rebuke you successful the sanction of Jesus." Grayson yelled astatine her to driblet the cookware and threatened to sprout her. Massey apologized and ducked down a counter.
Prosecutors impeach Grayson of utilizing excessive force, fatally shooting Massey wrong her Springfield home.
"Sonya’s decease was senseless and avoidable," prosecutors told the jury.
Bodycam video shows Grayson firing disconnected 3 shots, 1 of the bullets hitting Massey beneath her near eye. Prosecutors besides allege that afterward, Grayson failed to instantly execute life-saving CPR.
A pathologist during the proceedings testified that contiguous attraction would person improved her chances of survival.
John Milhiser, the Sangamon County State's Attorney, told jurors that Grayson's actions represent first-degree murder. Ultimately, the assemblage decided connected the lesser second-degree execution charge.
Grayson, who took the basal successful his ain defence Monday, argued that helium feared for his information and that the usage of deadly unit "matched the menace level."
Jurors agreed connected a second-degree execution conviction, which applies erstwhile determination is simply a “serious provocation” oregon erstwhile defendants judge their actions are justified adjacent though that content is unreasonable.
Grayson faces a condemnation of 4 to 20 years successful situation oregon probation erstwhile helium is sentenced Jan. 29.
