By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – A former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy accused of first-degree murder was in court Thursday afternoon, a day after his indictment and arrest.

Loved ones of Sonya Massey of Springfield would not comment after the hearing but applauded when Judge Ryan Cadigan ordered Sean Grayson, 30, held without bond. Prosecutors say Grayson fatally shot Massey, who had called 9-1-1 early July 6 to report a possible prowler. Court documents say Grayson shot Massey in the face after telling her to put down a pot of hot water, despite being at a distance and separated from her by a counter. Furthermore, it’s alleged Grayson not only failed to help the 36-year-old single mother after shooting her, but he discouraged the other deputy at the scene from doing so as well.

Defense lawyer Dan Fultz said Grayson did not flee or hide in the week and a half since he killed Massey, adding that Grayson is a colon cancer patient whose ostomy bag ruptured the first night he was in custody, thus posing a medical burden to whatever jail holds him. 

An hour after Massey called 9-1-1 for help, she was dead.

Grayson is back in court Aug. 26.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].