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]

Court has started.

Only two of the alternate jurors are in the courtroom this morning. The other 12 jurors are still in the jury box.
[snip]
Many members of the Massey family were lined up to enter court when the doors open. There are about five people sitting on Grayson’s side of the courtroom.

A member of Grayson's family just walked up to Donna Massey, Sonya's mother. We overheard her say "I felt it in my heart to come over here." The two women hugged.
Trial Blog | Day 4 of Sean Grayson Murder Trial

 

[tlcya]

The second day of testimony started sharply at 9 a.m. Illinois State Trooper Adam Markwell took the stand to begin the new day.

Markwell has been a CSI Trooper for eight years and is responsible for the documentation of crime scenes and the collection of evidence. He said that after the shooting, he met with both Grayson and his partner, Dawson Farley, and took photos and evidence from them.

Milhiser presented a series of photos and also entered others into evidence. The photos depict Grayson, his service weapon and the scene of the shooting — including shell casings, an orange medical kit and Massey’s cell phone and ID, left in a pool of her blood.

In addition, Grayson’s service weapon is physically present in the courtroom.

Markwell clarified that originally, it was believed that two shots had been fired, but new information obtained two days after the shooting indicated three shots had been fired. That’s why State Police went back to Massey’s home to find the third shell casing; it was found with cleaning supplies in the trash.
https://www.wcia.com/top-stories/the-trial-of-sean-grayson-live-updates/

 

[Gators North]

I hope Grayson goes away forever. JMO

 

[tlcya]

9:02 a.m. The fourth witness is ISP Trooper Adam Markwell. Mary Beth Rodgers, Assistant State's Attorney, questions him.

9:38 a.m. The fifth witness called by the State is ISP Trooper Emily Maulding, working as a crime scene investigator. Rodgers is questioning her.

9:46 a.m. The sixth witness is Hali Carls-Miller, ISP Crime Lab. Milhiser questions her and asks Judge Cadagin to declare her an expert of firearm and toolmark identification. The defense and Cadagin agree.

10:27 a.m. The seventh witness is Dr. Nathaniel Patterson, Forensic Pathologist with the Sangamon County Coroner's office. Milhiser questions him.

Day 4: Live updates of Sean Grayson's trial

a brief synopsis of each witness's testimony can be found at the link

 

[tlcya]

Dr. Nathaniel Patterson, a forensic pathologist, was the next witness to take the stand.

Before questioning could begin, the prosecution and defense met at the stand for a sidebar conversation on which photos could be shown to the jury during Patterson’s testimony. As a result, one photo was removed from the expected presentation.
https://www.wcia.com/top-stories/the-trial-of-sean-grayson-live-updates/

Judge Cadagin considered if any of the photos were too similar to others and not necessary. With some of the sets of photos, the judge said all of the photos were different enough to be considered. With other sets, the judge asked the state to select one of two or three photos, as they were too similar.

Before the jury came back into the courtroom, the judge warned the gallery that the images and testimony that were about to be shown would be difficult to look at due to their nature.
Trial Blog | Day 4 of Sean Grayson Murder Trial

 

[tlcya]

10:50 a.m. Dr. Patterson shares that the wound could have been survivable if medical treatment had been provided soon and bleeding had been controlled.

10:48 a.m. Dr. Patterson: “She died of a gunshot wound of the head.” “She bled to death through that transected carotid artery.”

10:44 a.m. An X-ray of Sonya Massey’s head reveals bullet fragments in the left side of her face.

10:42 a.m. The bullet did not go through her brain. The left internal carotid artery had been cut in half. A member of Grayson's family closes her eyes while the photos flash across the monitor.

10:40 a.m. Dr. Patterson explains a gunshot wound that entered under Massey's left eye and exited the left side of her neck. Her right leg had minor bruising. The brain had a little bit of hemorrhaging on the underside of the left side of the brain, and a hairline fracture on the skull.

10:36 a.m. A member of the Massey family leaves the room when a photo of Sonya Massey's brain is shown.

10:35 a.m. Milhiser asks Dr. Patterson to explain each photo to the jury. Grayson looks at the table while photos of the gunshot wound on the left side of Massey's face are shown.

10:33 a.m. Milhiser approaches Dr. Patterson with photos from the autopsy. We are now viewing the autopsy photos on the monitor.

10:30 a.m. Dr. Patterson conducted the autopsy of Sonya Massey. The court recognizes him as an expert in the field.
Day 4: Live updates of Sean Grayson's trial

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. {from Deputy Farley's testimony yesterday}

I just wanted to highlight these two items BBM. Because this is the saddest thing to me and I had not heard that her brain was uninjured by the three shots Grayson fired before this testimony today. Sonya could conceivably survived had Grayson attempted, as Farley did, to render aid until EMS could arrive.

 

[tlcya]

11:11 a.m. The court is in recess. We will resume at 1 p.m. after lunch.

11:11 a.m. Milhiser redirects, regarding the argument about survivability: "Would you agree the sooner medical treatment is provided, the higher the chance of survival?" Dr. Patterson: "Yes."

11:10 a.m. Wykoff shares that Sonya Massey's peripheral blood sample was positive for Delta-9 THC and positive for Gabapentin. Dr. Patterson says Delta-9 THC can cause distorted perception, and Gabapentin is a central nervous system depressant.

11:05 a.m. Milhiser has withdrawn his objection. The jury has re-entered. Wykoff has continued his cross-examination.

11:04 a.m. In the sidebar, Wykoff says Massey was positive for some substances that were found in her peripheral blood. Wykoff wants Dr. Patterson to explain what he saw in his report. Wykoff wanted to err on the side of caution when it comes to medical explanations.

10:57 a.m. Sean Grayson leans back in his chair, watching the sidebar.

10:55 a.m. A short break has been called after Milhiser objected to a question Wykoff asked Dr. Patterson. The jury has left the courtroom. A sidebar is taking place.

10:53 a.m. Wykoff is now cross-examining Dr. Patterson. Wykoff says medical literature shows that some people live and some people die after having a cut internal carotid artery and receiving medical treatment. Dr. Patterson: “Yes, that’s very true.”

10:50 a.m. Dr Patterson: "If you lose your left carotid artery, and you still have your right, there’s a chance blood could still circulate if you tie off the left one."
Day 4: Live updates of Sean Grayson's trial

irrelevant IMO. we can all see she was suffering some issues during the call, none of them were violent. Sonya had documented mental health problems and gabapentin is often prescribed as an anti psychotic. Cannabis, both medical and recreational, is legal in the state of IL.

HER perceptions, altered or not, did not shoot her. Grayson alleges HIS OWN perceptions caused that.