Peoria, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Irate might be the only word to describe the family of Sonya Massey after now-former Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson was convicted Wednesday of Second Degree Murder, fifteen months after her death.
The family members praised John Milhiser, Sangamon County State’s Attorney, for his work on the case, and that of First Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Beth Rodgers. Who they didn’t praise, was Grayson himself — or the justice system.
“The justice system did exactly what it’s designed to do. It’s not meant for us,” said Sontae Massey, Sonya’s cousin, suggesting that the fact that there was only one person of color on the nine-man, four-woman jury, wasn’t fair at all, and needs to be changed. “I will dedicate my life to dismantling the system that created this problem. The fight has just begun for me.”
Massey’s father, James Wilburn, took aim at the shooter.
“Sean Grayson shouldn’t be able to get out of jail,” said Wilburn. “My daughter could get out of that burial vault, walk out of Oakwood Cemetery. I know that plot that’s waiting for him, he can get to it as soon as he can. It wouldn’t make me any difference at all.”
Grayson’s mother, at one point, embraced Donna Massey, Sonya’s mother, as the trial started last week. Both sides agreed they couldn’t fathom what the other is doing.
Anthony Romanucci, an Illinois-based attorney who’s been part of the team representing the Massey family was a little more circumspect, while agreeing the verdict was the one that his side didn’t want.
“Was Sonya a threat? The unequivocal answer is no. She was not a threat. She was never a threat, and that’s what was proven in this court,” said Romanucci. “The difference is that the jury found that there was some issue of self-defense.”
The jury likely believed that the pot of boiling water on Massey’s stove was meant for police, and at least, may have been readied to throw at Grayson. Second Degree Murder essentially means while Grayson killed Massey, there was no pre-meditation for the act. It also means a lesser sentence — a maximum of 20 years, with Grayson only having to serve no more than ten years.
Even so, Romanucci told reporters at a press conference after the verdict was announced, the public, and the Massey family, could still call Grayson a “murderer,” based on the conviction.
One observer suggested that, given Grayson has been diagnosed with cancer, it is a good thing.
Grayson’s defense team, and his family members, could not be located after the verdict, nor could Milhiser and Rodgers.
