Trial begins for former Illinois deputy accused of killing Sonya Massey

The trial of a former Illinois deputy who is accused of killing Sonya Massey began on Monday in Peoria, Illinois.

The trial of a former Illinois deputy who is accused of killing Sonya Massey began on Monday in Peoria, Illinois.

Massey, a Black 36-year-old mother of two, was fatally shot in July 2024 after calling authorities to her Springfield home over concerns about a prowler, officials said. Body camera footage shows two deputies responding to the incident, including then-Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Grayson.

Grayson, who is white, shot Massey three times, saying in a report written after the incident that he feared bodily harm because she was holding a pot of boiling water and said, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus."

Almost two weeks after Massey's killing, Grayson was fired and charged with three counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated battery, and one count of official misconduct. He pleaded not guilty and was held in jail pending trial.

Grayson’s trial started on Monday morning with a jury selection. No cameras were allowed in the courtroom, and the trial is expected to last for one to two weeks.