Peoria, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – This will be the live blog for day two of the Sean Grayson murder trial.  Grayson, a former Sangamon County Sheriffs Deputy, is charged with murder and other counts for the death of Sonya Massey in July, 2024.  Grayson has pleaded not guilty and has claimed self defense.

WTAX and CapitolCityNow’s Will Stevenson is covering the trial at the Peoria County Courthouse, moved there from Springfield due to pre-trial publicity.

This story will be updated throughout day two of the trial. Click “refresh” on your browser to see the latest entries.  A new post will be created every day during the trial.

9:48am: Motions will be “reserved” and acted upon later, likely when the witness takes the stand. And apparently that was a wrap on all the last-minute motions.

9:20am: According to court records, State’s Attorney Milhiser has dropped counts four and five against Grayson — Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, and Official Misconduct. The move was made Monday outside of the presence of the public and the media, so at this point we don’t know more than that. It means, however, that Grayson will only be tried on three counts of First Degree Murder.

9:16am: Witnesses would speak to how it was justified for Grayson and other deputy to draw their service weapons at Massey, and gave orders to drop a pot of boiling water. Defense argues a state witness believes what Grayson did was unreasonable and put himself in harm’s way.

9:08am: Motions in limine regarding witnesses have been filed by the prosecution. Defense argues in part that the motions were filed 90 days after the deadline for filing motions, but Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser says they were filed in a timely manner. Issues now being dealt with regarding two expert witnesses. Milhiser is asking to limit the testimony of expert witnesses Kevin Davis and Glyn Corbitt. Also, the defense has filed a motion to exclude part of witness Seth Stoughton.