Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The legal battle over Sean Grayson’s pretrial detention continues as the Illinois Supreme Court Friday denied his emergency motion to grant his release. Grayson faces first-degree murder charges in the July shooting death of Sonya Massey. The Office of the State Appellate Defender filed the emergency motion on Thursday, arguing for Grayson’s pretrial release.

The denial by the Supreme Court followed Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s objection to the emergency motion, stating that the motion for supervisory order is “an improper means to pursue the requested relief” and the normal appellate process “affords adequate relief.”

Raoul’s filing also states the circuit court’s findings were wrongly rejected by the appellate court and provide compelling reasons for staying Grayson’s release until the Supreme Court has had the opportunity to review them.

In late November, the 4th District Appellate court ruled that Grayson’s detention was improper and ordered a review of his release conditions.

Wednesday, Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser filed a petition to leave requesting the Supreme Court review the appellate decision.

Grayson’s pretrial release hearing, initially set for Friday, was pushed back by the appellate court to January 2 to allow time for the State to pursue a further stay of the mandate directly from the Supreme Court.

Body-worn camera footage shows Grayson, a Sangamon County deputy at the time, shooting Sonya Massey in her home after he responded to a 911 call reporting a prowler.