In Springfield, Illinois, the case surrounding Sean Grayson takes a new turn as he petitions for an early release from prison. Grayson, who was sentenced just six months ago to a 20-year term for the killing of Sonya Massey, is citing medical reasons for his appeal.
The former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy, found guilty of second-degree murder, is preparing to have his plea reviewed by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board this Friday. Liz Hall, serving as the board’s Public Information Officer, confirmed that the board received Grayson’s application back in May and has now arranged for this pivotal hearing.
Massey’s tragic death occurred on July 6, 2024, inside her own home. On that day, the 36-year-old woman reached out to authorities about a suspected trespasser attempting to break in. The situation escalated unexpectedly, ending with Grayson shooting Massey fatally. According to prosecutors, the entire altercation, caught on the body camera of Grayson’s partner, showed an argument about a boiling pot of water spiraling violently out of control into murder.
Grayson, alongside his defense team, argued that the shooting was an act of self-defense. They claimed that Grayson feared for his life, believing Massey was about to hurl the boiling water at him.
In a notable decision, a jury in Peoria County convicted Grayson of second-degree murder, diverging from the initial first-degree charges. Last January, a Sangamon County judge imposed the severest sentence possible. Despite an appeal effort, the judge upheld this maximum sentence.
But Grayson will likely not live long enough to serve that entire sentence.
Grayson has been battling colon cancer for years, a fact his attorneys have openly stated since before Grayson’s trial. The cancer has since progressed to Stage IV and spread to Grayson’s rectum, liver and lungs. According to the American Cancer Society, Grayson’s chance of living just five years in this stage of cancer is as low as 13%.
Citing his terminal illness, Grayson applied for a medical release from prison under the terms of the Joe Coleman Act. The law, which went into effect in 2022, allows individuals suffering from terminal illness or medical incapacitation to apply for an early release from prison. The law considers a terminal illness to meet the following criteria: the condition is irreversible and incurable and likely to cause death within 18 months.
Speaking with WCIA on Wednesday, Hall explained that during Grayson’s hearing, neither he nor his lawyers will not be present. A three-person panel will consider the case; deliberations will be made in private, but the vote will be made in public.
If the board grants Grayson release from prison, he will be on supervised release for five years.
Sontae Massey, Sonya’s cousin, previously told WCIA that he was informed of this development by the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office, and it made him physically ill. He said it’s the latest development in what has been a long and traumatic process for the Massey family.
But Sontae said he will keep demanding that his cousin’s killer remain behind bars. He said he and other members will be allowed to testify at the hearing.
Hall also provided statistics on the number of cases the Prisoner Review Board has reviewed since 2022, and how many result in release and denial. The board reviewed 420 cases in that time, and 70% of them resulted in denails.
This year alone, the board granted three releases and made 12 denials.