Judge rules Sonya Massey murder trial can proceed in Peoria County

Posted on April 8, 2025
A Macon County Sheriff’s Office mugshot of Sean Grayson was taken on Oct. 24. Grayson, a former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy, is charged with the first-degree murder of Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman. (Photo courtesy: Macon County Jail)

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA/WMBD TV) — The judge ruled Sean Grayson’s first-degree murder trial can be moved to Peoria County Tuesday afternoon.

The Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office did not object to the motion. The Peoria County court system will have to agree to the motion in order to proceed.

His next court date will be April 23 in Sangamon County to schedule future court dates.

Grayson made his first physical appearance in court Tuesday. Before then, he has only appeared virtually.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Sean Grayson is due in court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing that will affect the future of the trial.

In July, Grayson and another Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy responded to Sonya Massey’s 911 call after she said she saw a prowler near her house.

Body camera footage shows Grayson shot Massey, a Black woman, in the head after she moved a pot of boiling water from her stove.


Grayson was charged with first-degree murder and fired from the sheriff’s office. He pleaded not guilty.PREVIOUSLY: IL Supreme Court rules to keep Sean Grayson in jail

Grayson’s legal team previously filed a motion to move the trial out of Sangamon County, arguing that local news coverage of Massey’s death would make it impossible to find an impartial jury.

The former deputy is currently being held in the Macon County Jail. 

WMBD TV can be reached at [email protected].

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