Sangamon county sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson has been charged with homicide and official misconduct. He has pleaded not responsible to the fees and has been fired from the police power. Within the video, officers are seen yelling at Massey to place down a pot of boiling water as they level their pistols at her. The state of affairs escalated when Grayson threatened to shoot her, resulting in Massey’s deadly taking pictures.
The incident started within the early hours of July 6 when Massey referred to as the police to her dwelling, believing somebody had damaged in. As she looked for her identification, Grayson commented on a pot of water on the range. Massey moved the pot and, after an change the place she mentioned, “I rebuke you within the identify of Jesus,” Grayson responded with, “You higher (expletive) not or I swear to God I will (expletive) shoot you in your (expletive) face.” He then drew his pistol, shouted for her to drop the pot, and shot her after she ducked and raised her fingers.
Grayson has been held with out bond within the Sangamon County Jail and faces critical prices, together with first-degree homicide, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. The Sangamon County State’s Legal professional’s Workplace said that Grayson was not justified in his use of power in opposition to Massey.
President Joe Biden expressed his sorrow for Massey’s household, saying, “Sonya Massey, a beloved mom, good friend, daughter, and younger Black lady, must be alive as we speak. Sonya’s loss of life by the hands of a responding officer reminds us that every one too usually Black People face fears for his or her security in methods lots of the remainder of us don’t.”
Benjamin Crump, a famous civil rights lawyer representing Massey’s household, criticized the actions of the deputy and in contrast the incident to different infamous circumstances of police violence. “It’ll shock the conscience of America. It’s that mindless, that pointless, that unjustifiable, that unconstitutional,” Crump mentioned. Massey’s father, James Wilburn, acknowledged the fast response of the Illinois State Police and the Sangamon County prosecutor in dealing with the case.
The footage has led to public outrage and protests demanding justice for Massey. Illinois Legal professional Basic Kwame Raoul urged calm because the case progresses by the felony justice system. “The physique digicam footage is horrific, and I supply my deepest sympathy to Sonya Massey’s household as they relive a second no household ought to expertise,” Raoul mentioned.
Grayson’s failure to activate his physique digicam till after the taking pictures and his instruction to his companion to not present medical help to Massey are key factors of competition within the ongoing investigation. If convicted, Grayson faces extreme penalties, together with life imprisonment for homicide. His lawyer, Daniel Fultz, has declined to touch upon the case.
Massey’s loss of life is a stark reminder of the persistent problems with police violence and the necessity for systemic reform in regulation enforcement practices.
