In Peoria, Illinois, a jury has found former sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson guilty of second-degree murder for the shooting death of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who had called 911 for assistance. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday.

Grayson, aged 31, now faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, although probation is also a possibility. The sentencing is set for January 29.

The incident occurred on the morning of July 6, 2024, when Grayson and another deputy responded to Massey’s Springfield home after she reported a prowler. Grayson shot the 36-year-old after an encounter concerning a pot of hot water she had taken off the stove. Grayson and his defense argued that he acted out of fear that Massey might throw the hot water at him.

The shooting has sparked renewed debate over the use of force by law enforcement in the homes of Black individuals in the United States. It has also led to legislative changes in Illinois, requiring greater transparency in the vetting process for law enforcement candidates.

Initially, Grayson faced a charge of first-degree murder, which could have resulted in a prison term ranging from 45 years to life, without the possibility of parole. However, after a seven-day trial, the jury had the option to consider second-degree murder. This lesser charge accounts for situations where the defendant may have been provoked or believed their actions were justified, even if that belief was not reasonable.

Second-degree murder could bring Grayson a sentence of four to 20 years with day-for-day good time, meaning his sentence could be halved if he behaves behind bars. He could also be sentenced to probation and avoid prison time entirely.

Body camera video recorded by the other Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy on the scene that morning, Dawson Farley, was a key part of the prosecution’s case. It showed Massey, who struggled with mental health issues, telling the officers, “Don’t hurt me,” and repeating, “Please God.”

When the deputies entered the house, Grayson saw the pot on the stove and ordered Massey to move it. Massey jumped up to retrieve the pot and she and Grayson joked about how he said he was backing off from the “hot, steaming water.” Massey then replied, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

Both Grayson and Farley drew their pistols and yelled at Massey to put the pot down. Grayson told investigators he thought her “rebuke” meant she intended to kill him and, in the following commotion, fired three shots, striking Massey just below the eye.

Farley, who at the time of the shooting was a probationary employee subject to firing for any reason, testified that Massey didn’t say or do anything that caused him to view her as a threat. But under cross-examination, he acknowledged that he initially reported to investigators that he feared for his safety because of the hot water. Farley did not fire his weapon and was not charged.

Grayson testified in his own defense and was the first witness his attorneys called. He told jurors he noticed the bottom of the pot was red and he believed Massey planned to throw the water at him. He said Massey’s words felt like a threat and that he drew his gun because officers are trained to use force to get compliance.

“She done. You can go get it, but that’s a head shot,” Grayson told Farley after the shooting. “There’s nothing you can do, man.”

Grayson relented moments later and went to get his kit while Farley found dish towels to apply pressure to the head wound. When Grayson returned, Farley told him his help wasn’t necessary, so he threw his kit on the floor and said, “I’m not even gonna waste my med stuff then.”

Prosecutors said that response indicated Grayson’s disregard for public safety, an argument that persuaded Judge Ryan Cadagin to keep Grayson in jail awaiting trial. An Illinois appellate court subsequently ruled that Grayson should be released under the Pre-Trial Fairness Act. An appeal to the state Supreme Court has yet to be decided.

Massey’s death also forced the early retirement of the sheriff who hired Grayson and generated a U.S. Justice Department inquiry. The federal probe was resolved with Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department’s agreement to fortify training, particularly de-escalation practices; develop a program in which mental health professionals can respond to emergency calls; and to generate data on use-of-force incidents.

Massey’s family, with the assistance of civil rights attorney Ben Crump, settled a lawsuit against the county for $10 million and state lawmakers changed Illinois law to require fuller transparency on the background of candidates for law enforcement jobs.