Peoria, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Jury selection in the Sean Grayson trial completed much faster than expected.
The trial — moved to Peoria over concerns about pre-trial publicity — will still, however, have opening statements Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.
Grayson faces charges of First Degree Murder, Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, and Official Misconduct, after he shot and killed Sonya Massey in July, 2024 when he and a partner responded to Massey’s home in unincorporated Springfield on a disturbance call. Massey was hesitant to let Grayson and a partner — then Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputies — in to her home, calling 911 more than once. Massey was shot by Grayson after he claimed self-defense, claiming he believed he was going to get a pan of boiling water thrown at him, based on police body camera video.
Questions, and concerns, for prospective jurors
Four sets of twelve prospective jurors were questioned during the course of the day Monday. The vast majority of them admitted having seen some form of media coverage of the case — either through traditional media or social, while some claimed to have heard about the case from friends. Of the 12 selected jurors, eight are women. Of the selected three alternate jurors, two are men.
While many of the prospective jurors said they could still be fair and impartial, that was not the case for all of them. At least one juror said she had already come to a conclusion about the case. Others were concerned because they had law enforcement in their immediate friend or family circles. The jurors also were asked about whether or not they thought was fair to judge a police officer on something they did “in the moment” of an incident, but after the fact. Most felt they could be impartial, while some felt not.
Dan Fultz, one of Grayson’s attorneys, said at one point during his question that it was not enough to say “I think I can” when it comes to being fair and impartial. “It’s very much in the interest of justice,” said Fultz. That’s a statement Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser agreed with.
“Former law enforcement officer”
At least once during questioning, Fultz objected to Milhiser referring to Grayson to the potential jurors as a “former law enforcement officer” — an issue that had been raised during pre-trial hearings. While Sangamon County Judge Ryan Cadigan said he would allow the reference, Fultz referred to it as a “standing objection” during the balance of the trial. It had already been ruled that Grayson’s pre-Sangamon County law enforcement history could not be brought up at trial.
Prior to Monday, Cadigan also ruled that Massey’s own history also could not be brought up.
Grayson sat with his defense team Monday, dressed in a suit, and not seen in handcuffs until jurors were out of the room. There were times Grayson could be seen looking at jurors or smiling, including in some light-hearted moments, like when one prospective juror said she hoped she would not have to give up a vacation for this.
With jury selection having gone faster than Cadigan anticipated, he said he’d spend Tuesday in court hearing arguments on a number of motions that had been brought up. That raised the ire of defense attorney Mark Wykoff, calling the motions “tardy,” requiring also-tardy responses. Milhiser said the motions in question have been raised and filed properly. Court reconvenes Tuesday at 9:00 a.m.
Around the courthouse
A large Peoria Police presence, along with that of Peoria County Sheriff’s Deputies, could be seen throughout downtown Peoria, by design, because of the trial. A Peoria Police drone flew over the courthouse, and parts of downtown streets were blocked off for media parking, and for rallies and protests. More than 100 could be seen participating in rallies at one point, organized by a Peoria-based Facebook group calling for justice in Massey’s case. Some of the rally-goers, however, were part of a national group called the Answer Coalition, whose website touts support of Palestine in the now-stopped war with Israel.
Who’s there?
24 members of the media will be allowed in the courtroom at any one point, and it’s believed there is also an approved list of Massey family members that will be allowed as well. On Monday, about a dozen reporters were present, as well as Massey’s father, James Wilburn. The courtroom is expected to be packed when opening statements begin Wednesday. The rest of the trial is expected to go at least through the middle of the next week.
WTAX’s Will Stevenson is covering the trial in Peoria County, on Newstalk 93.9 and AM 1240 WTAX, and in a daily live blog that can be found on this website.
