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]

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

agree, I am hopeful that this will become a thing now. Too late for Sonya, but may save lives in future. I am certain if a mobile crisis counselor had been on that scene Sonya would be alive today. The issue is (IMO) officers aren't trained well enough to realize if someone is acting off or saying things that don't seem to make sense, they need to step back, call a crisis counselor to join you on scene so they can assess the person. That is literally why we have the mobile crisis response services. For just this sort of circumstance.

 

[sunspun]

agree, I am hopeful that this will become a thing now. Too late for Sonya, but may save lives in future. I am certain if a mobile crisis counselor had been on that scene Sonya would be alive today. The issue is (IMO) officers aren't trained well enough to realize if someone is acting off or saying things that don't seem to make sense, they need to step back, call a crisis counselor to join you on scene so they can assess the person. That is literally why we have the mobile crisis response services. For just this sort of circumstance.

I thought I remembered that there was a call attended by mental health professionals or someone of that ilk, maybe earlier that same day? Am I mixing this up with another case? That is possible.

 

[tlcya]

I thought I remembered that there was a call attended by mental health professionals or someone of that ilk, maybe earlier that same day? Am I mixing this up with another case? That is possible.

“I don’t want you guys to hurt her. Please,” Donna Massey said during a two-minute 911 call made the morning of July 5.

During that call, Donna Massey said her daughter was not a danger to herself or others but was having a mental breakdown and thought people were out to get her, like a “paranoid schizophrenic.”

Donna Massey made a request of the dispatcher.

“Please don’t send no combative policemen that are prejudiced. Please,” Donna Massey said. “They are scary. I’m scared of the police.”

The dispatcher reassured her that the officers would do their jobs.

“Help is on the way,” he said before ending the call.
Sonya Massey, mother called 911 multiple times in days before her death to report mental health crises

in body cam footage from after the shooting Grayson made a reference to her being a "crazy F*&$ing B*&$@" which makes me wonder if he knew full well of her prior contact with LE and was annoyed at having to deal with this call for service for this citizen in partiular.

 

[tlcya]

2:12 p.m. Grayson has yawned several times while viewing the footage. He's now leaning forward and looking down at his lap.

2:09 p.m. The jury is watching the footage with laser focus. The courtroom is silent besides the audio from the footage.

2:04 p.m. The jury is re-entering the courtroom. We will now be watching the footage recorded by Dep. Farley's body-worn camera. Grayson is looking at the jury with a straight face.​

1:51 p.m. Sontae Massey, Sonya's cousin, tells his family during the break "I done did a lot of crying, I'm going to be okay."
Day 3: Live updates of Sean Grayson's trial

 

[sunspun]

“I don’t want you guys to hurt her. Please,” Donna Massey said during a two-minute 911 call made the morning of July 5.

During that call, Donna Massey said her daughter was not a danger to herself or others but was having a mental breakdown and thought people were out to get her, like a “paranoid schizophrenic.”

Donna Massey made a request of the dispatcher.

“Please don’t send no combative policemen that are prejudiced. Please,” Donna Massey said. “They are scary. I’m scared of the police.”

The dispatcher reassured her that the officers would do their jobs.

“Help is on the way,” he said before ending the call.
Sonya Massey, mother called 911 multiple times in days before her death to report mental health crises

in body cam footage from after the shooting Grayson made a reference to her being a "crazy F*&$ing B*&$@" which makes me wonder if he knew full well of her prior contact with LE and was annoyed at having to deal with this call for service for this citizen in partiular.

Ok, thank you. Yes, so this was just hours before the fatal call. Because the one you quoted was the morning of July 5, and the last call where she was killed started at 12:50 am July 6, so to me, that's late at night the same day.

 

[tlcya]

2:38 p.m. Wednesday, October 22 — Carlee Bronkema

The jury is now watching the video from Sean Grayson’s body-worn camera as he was inside her home. The video begins when Grayson draws his weapon. There is no audio until after Grayson appears to manually turn his camera on.

Grayson keeps his head down during this video. Most of his family watched the video.

The juror that did not watch the shooting in the last video kept his head down again for this portion. He continued to watch the defense table as the rest of the video played. Most jurors leaned forward and watched this video intently as well. Some jurors took notes while others kept their eyes on the screen.

The Massey family was visibly upset. Donna Massey kept her head down.

2:35 p.m. Wednesday, October 22 — Carlee Bronkema

Many of the jurors stayed focused on the screen as the rest of the video played, showing Farley walking outside with his hands trembling. They looked concerned.

Most of the jurors' eyes never left the screen.

Donna, Sontae, and another member of the Massey family returned to the courtroom once the video switched to Farley outside of the home.

Grayson kept his eyes on the screen as the video played after Farley left the home. The women sitting on his side of the courtroom returned their focus to the screen. The men sitting on his side of the courtroom kept his eyes down.

Trial Blog | Day 3 of Sean Grayson Murder Trial

 

[tlcya]

2:38 p.m. Grayson, in the body cam footage: "I'm not even going to waste my med stuff then." He then drops his med bag on the floor of Sonya Massey's living room.

2:35 p.m. Sean Grayson is leaning forward, staring straight at the floor. Some of Grayson's family members are also hunched forward, not watching the footage.

2:32 p.m. We are now watching Sean Grayson's body-worn camera footage. The jury is passing tissues amongst themselves

2:30 p.m. Five of Sonya Massey's family members and friends walked back into the courtroom, Sontae Massey with bloodshot eyes. Massey's mother, Donna Massey, has her head buried, covering her eyes.

2:28 p.m. The body cam footage shows Dep. Farley's hands were shaking from shock as he described it on the witness stand.

2:27 p.m. Grayson's family and friends go back and forth between looking at the jury and the footage on the screen. Some look visibly bothered with their hands covering their mouths or eyes averted.

2:24 p.m. The one black individual on the jury has his eyes averted from the screen, visibly bothered.

2:22 p.m. Members of Massey's family have left the courtroom. Sean Grayson stares straight ahead, glancing at the screen occasionally. Judge Cadagin is looking down and glancing at the door occasionally.

2:20 p.m. Grayson doesn't watch any of the footage playing after he yells at Massey to drop the pot of water. Members of the Massey family are crying while watching the footage of Dep. Farley holding a rag to Massey's gunshot wounds.

2:15 p.m. Grayson is hunched forward, resting his chin on his clasped hands, looking at the ground and up at the screen.
Day 3: Live updates of Sean Grayson's trial

 

[tlcya]

3:04 p.m. Retired Dept. Chief Anthony Mayfield is the fourth witness. Dept. Mayfield has retired from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.

3:03 p.m. The jury has re-entered the courtroom.
Day 3: Live updates of Sean Grayson's trial

 

[tlcya]

After the shooting, Grayson radioed dispatch and asked whether Massey was 10-96 – police code for the mental health case.

Later, when a fellow deputy asked if he was all right, he responded, “Yeah, I’m ok. This f—ing b—h is crazy.”
Sonya Massey, mother called 911 multiple times in days before her death to report mental health crises

 

[tlcya]

3:15 p.m. Wednesday, October 22 — Carlee Bronkema

Court has returned after a recess. Retired Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Chief Anthony Mayfield is the state’s next witness.

On the day Massey was killed, Mayfield was still acting as the Chief Deputy. He shared its standard practice to contact ISP to complete investigations into OIS.

Mayfield said he watched the body camera video with the Captain of Investigations and former Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell. He said the room was silent as the video was played and “everyone was shocked.” In his role, Mayfield was responsible for determining if a sheriff’s office employee violated policy.

Mayfield said Grayson violated several policies. This included standard of contact, use of force, medical aid response, and use of a video device.

Mayfield reviewed Grayson’s and Farley’s police reports. He assigned the case for further investigations. He reviewed the investigation along with former sheriff Campbell and determined policies were violated. He wrote a letter to Grayson and the FOP, as well as administration noting the policy violations.

The defense did not cross-examine Mayfield.

Court has adjourned for the day.
Day 3: Live updates of Sean Grayson's trial

 

[Cryptic]

in body cam footage from after the shooting Grayson made a reference to her being a "crazy F*&$ing B*&$@" which makes me wonder if he knew full well of her prior contact with LE and was annoyed at having to deal with this call for service for this citizen in partiular.

I think you have a good assessment.

I also think, however, that there could be more when one looks at the totality. The officer first identifies the victim as crazy, and likely an annoyance to deal with.

But when combined with his statement about not wanting to waste emergency first aid supplies on the victim seems to move his interaction beyond annoyance and into the realm of social cleansing.

 

[Seni]

Many thanks for the updates @tlcya

Just when I thought this case could not shock me more...despicable

I bet it wasnt the first time Grayson violated policies.

 

[iamshadow21]

Many thanks for the updates @tlcya

Just when I thought this case could not shock me more...despicable

I bet it wasnt the first time Grayson violated policies.

It wouldn't have been. His work history tells us that. He was bounced from a few different places after very short tenures before the one he held when he killed someone. Passing the trash. We can only guess what wasn't recorded officially.

MOO

 

[Izzylizzy]

“I don’t want you guys to hurt her. Please,” Donna Massey said during a two-minute 911 call made the morning of July 5.

During that call, Donna Massey said her daughter was not a danger to herself or others but was having a mental breakdown and thought people were out to get her, like a “paranoid schizophrenic.”

Donna Massey made a request of the dispatcher.

“Please don’t send no combative policemen that are prejudiced. Please,” Donna Massey said. “They are scary. I’m scared of the police.”

The dispatcher reassured her that the officers would do their jobs.

“Help is on the way,” he said before ending the call.
Sonya Massey, mother called 911 multiple times in days before her death to report mental health crises

in body cam footage from after the shooting Grayson made a reference to her being a "crazy F*&$ing B*&$@" which makes me wonder if he knew full well of her prior contact with LE and was annoyed at having to deal with this call for service for this citizen in partiular.

OMG!

"Donna Massey made a request of the dispatcher.

“Please don’t send no combative policemen that are prejudiced. Please,” Donna Massey said. “They are scary. I’m scared of the police.”

 

[Izzylizzy]

It wouldn't have been. His work history tells us that. He was bounced from a few different places after very short tenures before the one he held when he killed someone. Passing the trash. We can only guess what wasn't recorded officially.

MOO

And now?
Right..they're going to do better vetting when hiring, so they say.
Reprehensible practices of hiring just like religious sects are known do...pass the trash.
imo

 

[iamshadow21]

And now?
Right..they're going to do better vetting when hiring, so they say.
Reprehensible practices of hiring just like religious sects are known do...pass the trash.
imo

The thing is, better vetting doesn't help if someone does something very wrong and is given the option to quit rather than go through a disciplinary process. The bad thing vanishes into a void because the employer doesn't want to spend the time and money when they could just offer the person a way to walk out with nothing bad on their record. And unless the new employer and old are honest with each other in a reference phone call, the person just slides into a new role, with nothing but a series of very short employments as a sign that anything is wrong.

From memory, though, this particular guy's psych assessment should have also meant he never got given a role with the police. He was a ticking timebomb.

MOO

 

[tezi]

I just found this, I am not sure if it has been posted or not.

LINK

 

[tlcya]

The judge in the case ruled during a pre-trial hearing last month against the defense’s request to exclude body camera footage that shows what happened after Massey was shot, according to WICS.

From @tezi 's link. This is key IMO. The jury will see not only the shocking shooting play out on video, but will also get to see his demeanor and hear his statements AFTER the shooting as Sonya lay dying in his partner's arms. They will get to see the other LEOs and how they treat Grayson as compared with his partner, Farley. Their distancing from Grayson was palpable. Their support and concern for Farley was as well IMO. THEY knew this was a bad shooting from within minutes of arriving.

 

[tlcya]

Former deputy's partner testifies he perceived no threat from Sonya Massey before her death

Farley acknowledged seeing the pot on the stove and that Grayson was yelling, backing away "from your hot steaming water." When Massey said "I rebuke in the name of Jesus" to Grayson twice, Farley admitted he was confused but "not threatened."

Farley testified that he was "caught off guard" by Grayson firing his firearm and that it didn't follow training.
Sonya Massey called 911 for help and was killed. A murder trial is underway.

Grayson yawned multiple times as body camera footage of the shooting was played in court on Wednesday, according to WICS. Meanwhile, members of Massey’s family cried, and some left the courtroom.
Testimony to resume in Sonya Massey murder trial: Live updates

 

[tlcya]

links to news orgs offering live updates rom the trial

Day 3: Live updates of Sean Grayson's trial

https://www.wcia.com/top-stories/the-trial-of-sean-grayson-live-updates/

prosecutions witness list:
Kathryn Barton, Sangamon County Central Dispatch
Dylan Caldwell, Sangamon County Central Dispatch
Hali Carls-Miller, Illinois State Police Crime Lab
Special Agent Zachary Colbrook, Illinois State Police
(Ret.) Chief Lou Dekmar, LaGrange, Georgia
M/Sgt. Keith Dorwart, Illinois State Police
Deputy Dawson Farley, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office
(Ret) Sgt. Jim Hayes, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office
Sgt. Nick Korte, Illinois State Police
Trooper Adam Markwell, Illinois State Police
Sgt. Masters, Illinois State Police
Trooper Emily Maulding, Iliinois State Police
(Ret.) Deputy Chief Anthony Mayfield, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office
Chris Mueller, Sangamon County Central Dispatch
Dr. Nathaniel Patterson, Forensic Pathologist
Lt. Audie Prange, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office
(Ret.) Sgt. Anthony fugano, Elgin Police Department
Professor Seth Stoughton, Columbia, South Carolira
Lt. Eric Weston, Illinois State Police
Lt. Wes Wooden, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office

Trial Blog | Day 4 of Sean Grayson Murder Trial