Father of Sonya Massey’s child says deputies covered up what really happened

Posted on July 23, 2024
Massey’s father is demanding the resignation of the Sangamon County sheriff. (Photo courtesy: Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Tuesday’s update on the Sonya Massey case in Springfield included family attorney Ben Crump announcing that the U.S. Department of Justice is on the case; that the governor and lieutenant governor met with the Massey family; and that, the family alleges, deputies lied about what happened.

Crump’s firm released dispatch audio from early July 6, when – according to body cam video released Monday – then-Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson shot and killed Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman. Grayson is white.

The dispatch audio describes her fatal wound as “self-inflicted.” And Grayson, in remarks caught on his body camera which offended the family, said, “the f***in’ b***h is crazy,” and, “I think she set it up on purpose, so, it is what it is.”

Massey’s father is demanding the resignation of the Sangamon County sheriff.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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