Judge to decide conditions for Sean Grayson’s pretrial release on Friday

Posted on December 2, 2024
Former Sangamon County Sheriff Deputy Sean Grayson. (Photo courtesy: Sangamon County Jail)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – In the first court hearing since an appellate court ruled former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson should get an opportunity for freedom, a judge set Friday as the hearing date for the least restrictive conditions of release.

Sean Grayson killed Sonya Massey, a Black woman who called 9-1-1 on a possible burglar in July. The prosecutor says it’s murder. Grayson says it’s self-defense. The appeals court ruled that the case’s judge, Ryan Cadigan, leaned heavily on Grayson’s status as a (now former) policeman in ruling he would be a danger. The appeals court said now that Grayson’s status – no longer being a police officer – mitigates the risk.

Sangamon County state’s attorney John Milhiser says he will ask the Supreme Court to keep Grayson locked up.

Massey’s father, James Wilburn, gave reporters the only condition which matters to him: “When my daughter can get up and walk out of that cemetery, then he can get out of jail.”

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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