IL - Sonya Massey Shot To Death In Her Own Home by Sangamon County Deputy After Calling to Report a Prowler, Springfield 6 July 2024

[tlcya]

https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/cou...-bar-in-sean-grayson-murder-case/86717367007/

 

[tlcya]

street closures during trial: These Downtown Peoria streets will be closed during major trial next week

safety precautions during trial: https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/peoria-county-sean-grayson-trial/

 

[tlcya]

Sean Grayson trial to begin Oct. 20 - Illinois Times, the capital city's weekly source of news, politics, arts, entertainment, culture

https://www.sj-r.com/live-story/new...gin-in-sean-grayson-murder-trial/86795006007/

Sean Grayson to face a jury in Sonya Massey murder trial

Murder trial of former cop Sean Grayson for Sonya Massey police shooting starts

 

[tlcya]

Former sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson faces murder trial in fatal shooting of Sonya Massey

 

[tlcya]

UPDATED (10:30 p.m.) — Questioning of the first 12 has been underway for more than 30 minutes.

These were the first 12 to be questioned and it’s highly likely that some if not most will be removed. Each side gets a certain amount of “strikes” for either cause or just because they feel that person wouldn’t be good for their case.

Many were married. Several had never served on a jury before. Most had never been sued. Some were retired. Others were working at places like OSF Healthcare and Peoria Public Schools.
https://www.wjbc.com/2025/10/20/inside-the-courtroom-sean-grayson-trial-day-1/

9:54 a.m. Judge Ryan Cadagin is currently questioning the potential jury to determine if they can be fair and impartial during the trial.

9:58 a.m. Sean Grayson is in the courtroom, watching the jury selection intently. He's wearing a navy suit and glasses.

10:10 a.m. The potential jury is sharing personal information about themselves

10:14 a.m. John Milhiser, Sangamon County State's Attorney, is now addressing the potential jury asking if they have any relations to anyone in law enforcement.
Sean Grayson murder trial begins for July 2024 killing of Sonya Massey

Attorneys are keeping a close eye on the jury as they answer questions. They are taking note of the way each person is responding. Grayson is also looking closely at the jurors and occasionally rocking back and forth in his chair.

Each potential juror is being asked about their marital status, education, and career. They were asked about their spouse’s and adult children’s employment. They also were asked if they had ever been involved in a lawsuit or served on a jury.
Trial Blog | Court proceedings begin in Day 1 of Sean Grayson Murder Trial

 

[tlcya]

10:37 a.m. Judge Cadagin and the attorneys on both sides are discussing the side bar. Grayson's defense attorneys do not want John Milhiser to refer to Grayson as a "former" police officer due to potentential negative inferences.

10:39 a.m. The judge and attorneys deliberate. The use of "former" police officer and verbaige selected to refer to Grayson's current status will be a standing objection.

10:47 a.m. Sean Grayson is back in the courtroom. An officer removed handcuffs from him. The potential jury has reentered the room.
Sean Grayson murder trial begins for July 2024 killing of Sonya Massey

dummbest ish ever IMO. he is a former LEO because he stands accused of murder while wearing his uniform. Calling him former deputy is not prejudicial, it is accurate.

 

[tlcya]

For several of the potential jurors Fultz questioned, he asked hyper-specific questions regarding personal situations, including medical history or jobs.

One juror was very transparent in saying they had moved from Decatur in the last few years and had seen videos and stories related to the case. They told the court they had “seen a lot” regarding it.

One juror shared concerns about their safety because the case is “high-profile.”
Trial Blog | Court proceedings begin in Day 1 of Sean Grayson Murder Trial

 

[tlcya]

Jury selection continues with second group of potentials​

Trial Blog | Court proceedings begin in Day 1 of Sean Grayson Murder Trial

4 jurors were selected in round one of juror interviews.
https://www.centralillinoisproud.co...use-with-sean-grayson-trial-updates/11184635/

 

[tlcya]

Four of the required 12 jurors had been selected as of 11:50 a.m. Oct. 20 as jury selection continued in a Peoria County courtroom. Opening arguments in the trial, which could last more than a week, are expected on Oct. 22.
Trial Blog | Court proceedings begin in Day 1 of Sean Grayson Murder Trial

 

[tlcya]

Daniel Fultz has asked jurors if they have any time constraints for the next 7 to 8 days. He asks if there is any reason they cannot give their full attention to the case or cannot stay for the full time.

After questioning, Judge Cadagin recessed the potential jurors and told them that once back from recess they would know if they had been selected or dismissed. The attorneys and judge took one potential juror to the back to talk further.

Court is recessed for 20 minutes.
Trial Blog | Court proceedings begin in Day 1 of Sean Grayson Murder Trial

 

[tlcya]

1:30 p.m. Monday, October 20 — Carlee Bronkema

Court has resumed.

Of the 12 jurors in the second section, two were chosen to stay as the jury. The two jurors from the first round that were held, were also officially added to the jury. This brings the jury total up to eight.

Seven of the jurors from the second round were dismissed. Three jurors from the second section will remain potential jurors, although they were not selected in this round.
Trial Blog | Court proceedings begin in Day 1 of Sean Grayson Murder Trial

 

[tlcya]

Eight jurors selected​

Steven Spearie

Four more jurors were just added in the Grayson murder trial. That included two from the second panel and two holdovers from the first panel.

The jurors include a longtime hospital system employee; a retired teacher; a truck driver; a mental health services counselor; a customer services manager; a pharmacy technician; a full-time substitute teacher and a hospitality event coordinator.

A third panel of 12 prospective jurors is about to be questioned.
Jury selection underway in Sean Grayson trial over Sonya Massey shooting

 

[tlcya]

Here’s some demographic information on the four jurors who have been chosen for the jury thus far: A married white man who is a retired clinical engineer for Peoria-based OSF HealthCare and who has two daughters, ages 41 and 47. A married white woman who is a retired teacher with two grown children and a husband who is a retired Caterpillar Inc. employee. A married Black man who is a truck driver and has three children, ages 17, 26 and 39. A married white woman who is a mental health counselor and has two children, ages 6 and 13. That juror, who has a master’s degree in counseling, said in a previous job she was an administrative assistant at the Bradley University Police Department. She said during questioning by lawyers from both sides that she worked closely with police for several years.
Sean Grayson on trial - Illinois Times, the capital city's weekly source of news, politics, arts, entertainment, culture

 

[iamshadow21]

Here’s some demographic information on the four jurors who have been chosen for the jury thus far: A married white man who is a retired clinical engineer for Peoria-based OSF HealthCare and who has two daughters, ages 41 and 47. A married white woman who is a retired teacher with two grown children and a husband who is a retired Caterpillar Inc. employee. A married Black man who is a truck driver and has three children, ages 17, 26 and 39. A married white woman who is a mental health counselor and has two children, ages 6 and 13. That juror, who has a master’s degree in counseling, said in a previous job she was an administrative assistant at the Bradley University Police Department. She said during questioning by lawyers from both sides that she worked closely with police for several years.
Sean Grayson on trial - Illinois Times, the capital city's weekly source of news, politics, arts, entertainment, culture

I'm just going to take a wild guess that the defense wouldn't be happy with the mental health professional on the jury. She's going to have knowledge and qualifications that give her weight in deliberations, and I doubt that someone who chooses that as a career is going to be swayed by whatever strategy defense is going to use to justify shooting an unarmed woman in crisis in the face.

MOO

 

[Izzylizzy]

street closures during trial: These Downtown Peoria streets will be closed during major trial next week

safety precautions during trial: https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/peoria-county-sean-grayson-trial/

Like showing the bodycam footage to jurors in a different county is supposed to work to the defendant's benefit.


"Grayson's trial was moved to Peoria in March after his attorneys successfully filed a motion to change the place of the trial, citing the possibility that their client wouldn't receive a fair trial in Sangamon County."

 

[Izzylizzy]

UPDATED (10:30 p.m.) — Questioning of the first 12 has been underway for more than 30 minutes.

These were the first 12 to be questioned and it’s highly likely that some if not most will be removed. Each side gets a certain amount of “strikes” for either cause or just because they feel that person wouldn’t be good for their case.

Many were married. Several had never served on a jury before. Most had never been sued. Some were retired. Others were working at places like OSF Healthcare and Peoria Public Schools.
https://www.wjbc.com/2025/10/20/inside-the-courtroom-sean-grayson-trial-day-1/

9:54 a.m. Judge Ryan Cadagin is currently questioning the potential jury to determine if they can be fair and impartial during the trial.

9:58 a.m. Sean Grayson is in the courtroom, watching the jury selection intently. He's wearing a navy suit and glasses.

10:10 a.m. The potential jury is sharing personal information about themselves

10:14 a.m. John Milhiser, Sangamon County State's Attorney, is now addressing the potential jury asking if they have any relations to anyone in law enforcement.
Sean Grayson murder trial begins for July 2024 killing of Sonya Massey

Attorneys are keeping a close eye on the jury as they answer questions. They are taking note of the way each person is responding. Grayson is also looking closely at the jurors and occasionally rocking back and forth in his chair.

Each potential juror is being asked about their marital status, education, and career. They were asked about their spouse’s and adult children’s employment. They also were asked if they had ever been involved in a lawsuit or served on a jury.
Trial Blog | Court proceedings begin in Day 1 of Sean Grayson Murder Trial

One of the most fascinating and educational experiences I've had in relation to the law and courts was watching the court's livestream of the jurors being picked for the Chauvin trial.
The potential jurors images weren't shown but you heard their voices/answers to questions by the prosecution, defense and judge.
It was memorizing.
I've never seen this televised again in a high-profile case though I may have missed it.
imo

 

[Izzylizzy]

10:37 a.m. Judge Cadagin and the attorneys on both sides are discussing the side bar. Grayson's defense attorneys do not want John Milhiser to refer to Grayson as a "former" police officer due to potentential negative inferences.

10:39 a.m. The judge and attorneys deliberate. The use of "former" police officer and verbaige selected to refer to Grayson's current status will be a standing objection.

10:47 a.m. Sean Grayson is back in the courtroom. An officer removed handcuffs from him. The potential jury has reentered the room.
Sean Grayson murder trial begins for July 2024 killing of Sonya Massey

dummbest ish ever IMO. he is a former LEO because he stands accused of murder while wearing his uniform. Calling him former deputy is not prejudicial, it is accurate.

I would think this would have been settled pre-trial.

'Grayson's defense attorneys do not want John Milhiser to refer to Grayson as a "former" police officer due to potentential negative inferences'.

 

[Izzylizzy]

Four of the required 12 jurors had been selected as of 11:50 a.m. Oct. 20 as jury selection continued in a Peoria County courtroom. Opening arguments in the trial, which could last more than a week, are expected on Oct. 22.
Trial Blog | Court proceedings begin in Day 1 of Sean Grayson Murder Trial

Jury selection wraps up​

4:40 p.m. Monday, October 20 — WAND News Digital Team

The jury of 12 has been selected along with three alternates.

The makeup of the jury includes nine men and three women. 11 of them are white and one is Black.

The three alternates include two white men and one white woman.

The judge has given the jury several rules; including social media use, not researching the case, or talking about the trial. '

 

[tlcya]

The jury has been dismissed and told to return Wednesday for opening statements that are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

Tuesday morning, the judge will hear several motions on evidence and other issues.

Court is adjourned until 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Trial Blog | Day 2 of Sean Grayson Murder Trial

PEORIA -- A jury has been sworn in and opening arguments are set for Oct. 22 in the murder trial of a former Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy charged with killing Sonya Massey in her home just outside of Springfield in 2024.
[snip]
Presiding Judge Ryan Cadagin had set aside two days for jury selection but will take up motions centered around expert testimony in court on Oct. 21.
Judge sets opening arguments in Sean Grayson murder trial after jury is seated

 

[Izzylizzy]

This is his defense?


snip

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The deputy sheriff who fatally shot Sonya Massey in her Illinois home last month said he believed that when the Black woman who called 911 for help unexpectedly said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” that she intended deadly harm, according to the deputy’s field report released Monday.

“I interpreted this to mean she was going to kill me,” Grayson wrote, adding that when he drew his pistol and Massey ducked behind a counter that separated them, he moved around the obstacle fearing that she was going to grab a weapon.'

Deputy who shot Sonya Massey thought her rebuke 'in the name of Jesus' indicated intent to kill him

The Illinois deputy sheriff says he thought when Sonya Massey unexpectedly said “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” she intended to kill him.

apnews.com