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]

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

yeah that was the best he could come up with. Told her to go deal with the pot and when she picked it up and said that he "perceived" it as a threat. You cannot have unbalanced people in uniform. I posit he was just as mentally unwell as she was if that was all it took for him to perceive a threat. A sentence. A simple sentence.

 

[tlcya]

The court heard arguments regarding evidence and expert witnesses. Motions filed brought into consideration what specific terms can be used in the witness box. Those terms are reasonable or unreasonable; justified or unjustified; and lawful or unlawful.

Both attorneys agreed that they would set parameters for their witnesses to not use these terms. Daniel Fultz, an attorney for Sean Grayson, told the court we will “have clear conversations with our experts.”

Both sides frequently referred to the case Graham v. Connor. This is a case frequently used to say excessive use of force can be analyzed through the Fourth Amendment within the legal system. Both sides agreed to not specifically cite the case, but to use the principles of the case as they’ve been used in many previous cases.

While there were motions filed, both attorneys made agreements about those motions. Judge Cadagin said he would consider the rulings regarding expert witnesses and allowed phrases and topics as “reserved.” This means an agreement was made between the parties, but if an issue comes up during the testimony, the attorneys can discuss further with the judge.

Court only lasted 43 minutes. It adjourned for the day and will start again tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.

Grayson looked confused as attorneys argued on specifics. Mark Wykoff repeatedly placed his hand on Grayson’s shoulder as he referred to him.
Trial Blog | Day 2 of Sean Grayson Murder Trial concludes

As in other cases involving the use of excessive force or death by LEO, Graham v. Connor will play an important role in this case. This case will center around how a "reasonable" LEO would assess an immediate threat. Three main factors come into play.

Severity of the crime: Ms. Massey was not committing a crime, rather she was the RP (reporting party) who had called for police assistance due to a threat she herself perceived.

Immediate threat: Did Sonya pose a threat to Grayson when she went to the stove as directed because per him "we don't need a fire in the house" He directed her to take preventative action with the pot. (MOO)

Active resistance or flight: Massey was not a suspect or poi. She was, again, the RP, no arrest was threatened or imminent, she was not trying to resist arrest, escape or evade in her own home.

Supreme Court has long established that Graham v. Connor is the standard for what is considered objectively reasonable. Meaning a LEO's actions are judged based on what a reasonable officer would perceive and do in the same situation, at that moment, without the benefit of hindsight.

MO very strongly held Opinion: You need only to watch the body cam from after the shooting and see how his fellow LEOs responded to him to know, not one of them felt his actions were objectively reasonable. I sincerely hope the jurors get to see that footage. that IMO tells them everything they need to know by showing the actions and words of the defendant and the responses from his fellow LEOs

 

[tlcya]

32K views · 202 reactions | The murder trial of an Illinois sheriff’s deputy accused of killing Sonya Massey, a Black woman shot in her home last year after calling police for help, begins Monday. Attorney Karen Conti tells "NewsNation Live" that bodycam footage suggests police did not attempt to de-escalate the situation and that the jury must determine whether Massey posed an imminent threat of serious bodily harm. “Was it imminent? Was she fleeing an arrest? No, she wasn’t," Conti says. "Was she a danger to them, and were they entitled to use deadly force?” | NewsNation

 

[Marantz4250b]

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

If this is his defence then it's a complete joke; if he genuinely believes that then he's too stupid to be entrusted with a firearm; if he doesnt believe this (which I think is the case) then he's too stupid to be let out unsupervised if he thinks people will buy it.

He's going down for a very long time, and rightly so.

 

[DS2021]

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

If he somehow walks after this the laws need to change. You should not be able to threaten someone's life with a firearm and then claim self defense.

 

[tlcya]

PEORIA -- Opening arguments will be heard on Oct. 22 in the trial of a former Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy that has gained nationwide attention.
[snip]
The nine-woman, three-man jury, sworn in on Oct. 20, will be hearing from a number of expert witnesses about use of force and police practices.
Opening arguments to begin in Sean Grayson murder trial

Protestors gather outside Illinois courthouse for murder trial for fatal shooting of Sonya Massey

 

[Izzylizzy]

Right out of defense attorney's playbook.
imo

"Grayson's attorney, Daniel L Fultz, said in his opening statement that evidence will show that the former deputy lawfully discharged his weapon and acted to protect his life.

"He believed he would suffer great bodily harm or death," he said.

He said that Grayson had warned Massey to put down the pot of water before firing his weapon.

"What happened to Ms. Massey was a tragedy, but it was not a crime," Fultz said.

Fultz asked jurors to avoid forming opinions on the case early on, and argued that while police officers are often called to run towards danger, “That doesn’t mean when danger presents itself, they can’t defend themselves.”


cont

Opening statements begin in trial of former Illinois deputy accused of killing Sonya Massey

Massey was killed in her Springfield home in 2024 after calling authorities over concerns about a prowler.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[tlcya]

John Milhiser, the state’s attorney for Sangamon County, said in his opening statement that Grayson went into Massey’s home where she “was not a suspect” and shot and killed her “without lawful justification.”

Milhiser noted that Grayson did not immediately turn on his body camera that night, which is part of a pattern of not following policies or training. He said Grayson shot Massey because he was angry.

In the lead up to the shooting, Milhiser says Massey was "nice and kind" when talking Grayson and his partner. He describes what happens on the body camera video as “what happens when the defendant gets mad at a woman who is standing in her own kitchen.”
Opening statements begin in trial of former Illinois deputy accused of killing Sonya Massey

 

[Izzylizzy]

John Milhiser, the state’s attorney for Sangamon County, said in his opening statement that Grayson went into Massey’s home where she “was not a suspect” and shot and killed her “without lawful justification.”

Milhiser noted that Grayson did not immediately turn on his body camera that night, which is part of a pattern of not following policies or training. He said Grayson shot Massey because he was angry.

In the lead up to the shooting, Milhiser says Massey was "nice and kind" when talking Grayson and his partner. He describes what happens on the body camera video as “what happens when the defendant gets mad at a woman who is standing in her own kitchen.”
Opening statements begin in trial of former Illinois deputy accused of killing Sonya Massey

I haven't followed this tragedy until now when it went to trial.
Will the officer that was with Grayson be called by the prosecution or the defense?
tia

 

[tlcya]

first state witness - ISP investigator

When he arrived, he said “not a lot was known.” He was told an officer shot someone after a pot of water was thrown at him.
[snip]
Weston said he watched both Grayson and Farley’s body-worn camera videos on Sunday. After watching the video he said it was different from the assumption he made on scene. He noted it was a very short interaction, and there was no struggle between Massey and the officer. He said he “thought there had to be something more, verbal threats.”

After watching the video, Weston told the State’s Attorney he “thought it was something your office needed to be made aware of.”
[snip]
Weston said he determined Grayson took “crisis intervention training” which is mandated for officers. It teaches officers how to interact with people with mental illnesses or facing a crisis.
[snip]
Many of the jury members took notes of the testimony Weston provided.
[snip]
Sonya’s mother, uncle, father, and cousins are all in the courtroom. They are joined by approximately 20 others.
[snip]
Massey’s 9-1-1 call was played for the court room.

The defense did not cross-examine this witness. Court is in a recess until 1 p.m.
Trial Blog | Day 3 of Sean Grayson Murder Trial kicks off with opening statements

 

[tlcya]

I haven't followed this tragedy until now when it went to trial.
Will the officer that was with Grayson be called by the prosecution or the defense?
tia

deputy Dawson Farley will be a witness for the prosecution. I keep that young man in my prayers.

 

[Izzylizzy]

deputy Dawson Farley will be a witness for the prosecution. I keep that young man in my prayers.

Thanks so much and I'll join you.

 

[tlcya]

“She’s a little scattered but she’s nice and kind and talking to him and you’ll see that interaction,” Milhiser said. “You will see what happens when the defendant gets mad at a woman who is in her kitchen and has called for help. He gets mad and shoots and kills her without lawful justification.”

“He did not follow his training. He did not follow police principles.”
[snip]
Farley is scheduled to testify Wednesday.
https://www.wric.com/news/u-s-world...-ex-illinois-officer-who-killed-sonya-massey/

 

[tlcya]

for updates from reporter inside the courtroom
Day 3: Live updates of Sean Grayson's trial

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Thank you to anyone who is posting updates of this trial. It's so helpful.

 

[tlcya]

1:25 p.m. Farley saw Sonya Massey duck behind the counter. Grayson stepped in front of Farley– they are trained not to step in front of their partner when weapons are drawn. He heard Grayson say “drop” and heard the shots fired.

1:22 p.m. Dep. Farley saw Grayson draw his firearm and point it at Massey. Farley pulled his firearm, too, following his training and backing his partner. Farley did not see or hear anything that required him to draw his firearm.

1:22 p.m. Milhiser: "What’d you think when Sonya Massey said 'I rebuke you in the name of Jesus?' Farley states confusion, and did not see Massey's comment as a threat.

1:21 p.m. Sonya Massey's cousin has walked out of the courtroom, crying.

1:19 p.m. Dep. Farley has given us an extensive recount of what happened the morning Sonya Massey was shot. Farley: “When the door was opened, the female [Massey] stated, ‘Please, don’t hurt me.’”

1:08 p.m. Dep. Farley has described his relationship with Grayson as a 'work friendship.' Grayson listens intently to Dep. Farley's answers.
Day 3: Live updates of Sean Grayson's trial

 

[tlcya]

1:30 p.m. Dep. Farley clarified in his written report that the fear he felt and the reason he drew his firearm was from Grayson’s actions, nothing that Massey did. Dep. Farley: “I just wanted to do right by Sonya and her family.”

1:29 p.m. Dep. Farley emphasized that he was not scared or nervous about anything Massey did or thought that she would hurt him. She did not alarm him.

1:28 p.m. Dep. Farley grabbed a dish towel and applied pressure to Massey's gunshot wound to stop the bleeding.

1:26 p.m. Farley tried to run back to the doorway to tell dispatch that shots were fired. He came back to the scene, put his firearm away, and attempted to get a medical bag. Grayson said, It’s a headshot, and to not bother getting a bag. Farley was caught off guard by Grayson’s comment.
Day 3: Live updates of Sean Grayson's trial

This has to be so so hard for her family to hear today's testimony. Thinking of them

 

[tlcya]

defense is now crossing deputy Farley. They would be well advised to tread lightly in doing so. He is a sympathetic witness and attempted to render aid to Sonya after his partner went full on Rambo. They risk alienating the jury if they come at him too hard MOO

 

[tlcya]

1:36 p.m. Fultz approaches Dep. Farley with his report. Sean Grayson is fidgeting in his chair, eyes transfixed on Dep. Farley.

1:34 p.m. Fultz is asking Dep. Farley about the validity of his report and whether he saw or heard water running. Fultz: “What clarification are you trying to put in if you don’t remember your report?”

1:31 p.m. Fultz is now cross-examining Dep. Farley.
Day 3: Live updates of Sean Grayson's trial

 

[CityKid]

yeah that was the best he could come up with. Told her to go deal with the pot and when she picked it up and said that he "perceived" it as a threat. You cannot have unbalanced people in uniform. I posit he was just as mentally unwell as she was if that was all it took for him to perceive a threat. A sentence. A simple sentence.

It's heartbreaking. Her mother had called in a MH check the previous day. MOO there needs to be a system whereby, when someone calls in a mental health check for someone who is not a danger to themselves or others and the police agree and leave the premises, there's a note in the police records indicating this. And if a person like Massey calls the police the next day, perhaps a mental health counselor could be sent to the scene along with the police in case the situation needs to be defused. Massey followed Grayson's orders and ended up dead. MOO disgusting, cruel and disheartening.

Sonya Massey, mother called 911 multiple times in days before her death to report mental health crises

The day before she was shot by a Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy, Sonya Massey’s mother called 911 and said her

capitolnewsillinois.com